Washington recognizes that domestic abuse targets pets

In a remarkably intelligent move, legislators in Washington state are considering a new bill which would include family pets in domestic violence restraining orders. HB 1148 overwhelmingly passed the House and is moving to the Senate for a vote.

Animal advocates, social workers, and sociologists have long known of the links between domestic abuse of women, and violence towards animals. Many abusers target the family pet as a way to terrorize their partners, and, because so few domestic violence shelters accept pets, to keep the woman from fleeing her home.

Hopefully, the Senate will quickly pass this common-sense and humane bill, and other states will follow.