Kara Holmquist, Director of Advocacy for the MSPCA has the BostonZest keyboard today to tell you about "An Act to Include Pets in Domestic Violence Orders," and what you can do to help get this legislation passed. Take it away Kara.
Last week, an Associated Press story covered a proposed bill in Connecticut to facilitate “cross-reporting” – requiring agents who are investigating child abuse to report any animal abuse they suspect and vice versa. The link between animal abuse and violence toward humans is becoming increasing well-known and documented. An MSPCA study found that people who abuse animals are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against people. Massachusetts has also passed bills to help facilitate reporting of animal abuse between agencies.
This year, House Bill 1499, An Act to Include Animals in Abuse Prevention Orders is pending in the Massachusetts legislature.
The bill would specifically allow judges to include pets in temporary restraining orders. Currently is it awaiting its fate in the legislature’s busy Judiciary Committee and it only has until March 17th for its fate to be determined (if not sooner). Action is needed now if this bill is to have a chance of passing this session. This bill would not cost the state any money; it simply allows the court to order custody or require the defendant to stay away from and/or not abuse a pet while the order is in effect.
This would help protect both pets and people.
Studies show that up to 48% of people will not leave, or will return to, a violent relationship due to a fear of what might happen to the animal if left behind. Melinda Thomas from the Womanshelter/Compañeras in Springfield is a survivor of domestic abuse. She experienced firsthand the trauma and horror of this abuse; made worse by her inability to include her pets on a restraining order against her husband. “While I maintained an active restraining order to protect myself and my daughter, there was no protection for our companion animals,” said Thomas. “Inclusion would have provided the necessary legal protection for them to remain in our care. Instead, our pets were killed. My daughter and I were both traumatized by the loss of our companions, and this was clearly a message to me to stop seeking help from the police and the courts.”
The passage of the bill is supported by numerous domestic violence organizations, animal protection organizations, animal control officers, veterinarians, social workers, as well as law enforcement officials. Including pets in protective orders is a simple straightforward amendment to existing laws and something that 13 other states have done.
What you can do:Please contact your two state legislators (if you do not know who they are, look them up
here) asking their support for this bill (especially if they are on the
Judiciary Committee) and also ask them to let the chairs of the Judiciary Committee --
Senator Creem and
Representative O'Flaherty -- know they support this bill and want to see it get a favorable report.
For more information and to take action, visit
www.mspca.org/petsandviolenceKara didn't mention one more way you can help, but we will. You can make a donation to support the MSPCA's work on important matters like this one. Click here to make a donation.
Details:
Writer: Kara Holmquist, Director of Advocacy for the MSPCA
Photos: Courtesy of the MSPCA
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