An Act to Include Pets in Domestic Violence Orders
H. 4360 (formerly H.727)

MSPCA position: Support

Status: 
H. 4360 was reported favorably out of the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee (an amended version of H.727) on November 5, 2007 and is currently waiting on a vote from House Ways and Means.

This bill would specifically allow judges to include pets in temporary restraining orders (issued pursuant to Chapter 209A).  If a judge finds reason to include a companion animal in the order of protection, the petitioner is given exclusive custody, care and control over the animal.

What The Bill Would Do:
The bill would provide protection for both human and animal victims of domestic violence. The link between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented in both study statistics and stories of abuse. Like children, pets are often used as pawns in domestic violence. Batterers abuse animals for a variety of reasons - to demonstrate power and control, to retaliate for acts of independence, to keep a victim silent and to coerce a victim to return or stay in an abusive relationship.

Fear for the welfare of a household pet often prevents battered women from escaping abusive relationships.  Statistics from an MSPCA study gives an idea of just how common the fear for the welfare of a household pet prevents battered woman from escaping abusive situations. The study found that up to 48% of battered women will not leave, or will return to a violent relationship due to fear of what might happen to the animal if left behind.

In addition to the MSPCA, supporters include many domestic violence organizations:

Link Up Education Network
Human/Animal Violence Education Network
REACH Beyond Domestic Violence
Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence
Dove, Inc.
Renewal House
Our Sister's Place, Fall River
Womanshelter/Companeras
YWCA of Western Massachusetts
American Humane Association
The Humane Society of the United States.

Take Action!

Please contact your legislators and urge them to support this bill. 

Sponsor:  Representative Koutoujian 

• Find out more about members at www.mass.gov/legis.
• Find out who represents you at:
  http://www.wheredoivotema.com/.
• Read the text of the bill here and view legislative co-sponsors.
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States with laws or that have bills pending to include pets in domestic violence orders:

Passed (2006):
Maine
New York
Vermont

Passed (2007):
Nevada
Colorado
Connecticut
Illinois
Tennessee

Pending bills filed this session:
Arizona
California
Georgia
Iowa
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Utah
Washington
Washington, D.C.
Wisconsin