Bill would address growing incidence of
domestic violence-related animal abuse
Sen. Linda Gray has introduced Senate Bill 1085, an important and progressive bill that directly addresses domestic violence-related animal abuse. In an effort to stop abusers from harming or threatening to injure pets, SB 1085 would encourage judges to include in domestic violence orders of protection any animal owned, possessed, leased or kept by either party and/or his/her minor child.
An order of protection is a legal order issued by a court that requires one person to stop harming, stay away from and/or cease contact with another person or, in the case of this bill, that person’s pets as well.
Countless domestic violence survivors in Arizona currently feel they have no other choice but to remain in violent households in order to protect their defenseless pets from harm. Sadly, even though a growing body of research demonstrates a strong link between violence to animals and violence to people, animals are not currently addressed in Arizona’s domestic violence law.
American Humane asks for assistance in getting the bill passed.
"Please support this important bill by urging your senator to ask Chairman Jonathan Paton (also a sponsor of the bill and a champion of animal welfare legislation) to schedule SB 1085 for a hearing," the organization said in a press release.
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