Advertisement

Lawmaker Proposes Extending Domestic Abuse Protections To Pets

State lawmakers may soon be considering a bill aimed at protecting pets who often become victims in domestic abuse cases.

While a restraining order is often enough to keep an abusive partner away from a victim, it's not always enough to keep that abuser away from victims' most cherished possession — their pets. Abusers sometimes terrorize their victims by threatening or harming animals.

Melrose State Sen. Katherine Clark has filed a bill that would allow judges to extend protections to pets.

"We are really hoping that this will remove another barrier for people leaving a violent situation, and allow them to seek help and feel that they can have protection for their pet, as well as for themselves," Clark said.

Clark said 17 other states have passed similar laws, including Maine, Connecticut and Vermont.

This program aired on March 21, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.

Advertisement

More from WBUR

Listen Live
Close