Protecting Pets from Domestic Violence

Recently California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 353 into law. When a victim of domestic violence decides to leave their abuser and applies for a restraining order, the order can include the household pets. Because many domestic abuse shelters do not accept pets, this provides some legal safety for the pets who are left behind. The bill was submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee by Senator Sheila Keuhl, D-CA.

In the past, some judges would include pets in the restraining orders, while others could chose to consider the pets part of the property settlement, and therefore not protected.
There is a high correlation between domestic violence and animal abuse, according to research presented to support passage of the bill. 25% to 40% of women will not leave a domestic violence situation if it means leaving their pets behind. And more than 70% of women in shelters report that the animals in their home have also been abused by their perpetrator.

According to the University of San Diego School of Law, studies have shown that very few people are more attached to their pets than victims of domestic violence. Psychologists speculate that it’s important for victims to feel compassion and love for a creature who poses no threat, unlike their human relationship. Others believe pets offer abuse victims some means of control over their lives. Regardless of the reason for the attachment, abusers often prey upon this attachment as a means of control.

FETCH readers might like to know that several local agencies offer special programs to help protect pets in domestic violence situations. Marin Humane’s Companions in Crisis program offers confidential sheltering of pets. You can reach the program at 415-883-4621 24 hours a day. In San Francisco, ACC’s Safe Pets Program provides shelter and care for vulnerable pets in violent homes; contact Judy Choy at 415-554-9401 or e-mail judy.choy@sfgov.org.