Widely share this great news! Thank you, Senator Michael Skindell and Senator Jim Hughes, for sponsoring SB 177, Domestic Violence to provide legal protections for Ohio cats, dogs, and families in violence! Ohio is poised to become the 28th state to offer legal protection to dogs, cats and other pets in situations of domestic violence, stalking and other alleged abuse. The Senate gave final approval and sent to Gov. John Kasich legislation today that would allow judges to include household or companion animals in court-ordered protection orders already available to victims of abuse. The 32-0 vote to concur with minor changes made to the bill by the House came during the day before the Senate is scheduled to recess for the year. Supporters of Senate Bill 177, sponsored by Sens. Jim Hughes, R-Columbus, and Michael J. Skindell, D-Lakewood, said the legislation will protect victims of abuse by shielding their pets from harm. “Abusers will hold things over to control the victim and one of the things they go after is the victim’s dog or cat. They will abuse the animals or even kill them, Skindell said. Often, he said, victims will not leave a violent situation if they have a child or pet living with them. There was a similar reaction during Hurricane Katrina when victims refused to leave their pets behind. The legislation was sought by advocates for victims of domestic violence and abuse and animal-rights groups. National studies have shown that 48 percent of domestic violence victims report that they delayed leaving a dangerous situation because they feared for their pet’s safety and didn’t feel they had a way to remove the animal or anywhere to take it. A 2012 survey by the Ohio Domestic Violence Network found 40 percent of domestic violence victims reported that their pets were killed, harmed or threatened. Hughes said he saw first-hand while working as an assistant county prosecutor how a perpetrator would harm a dog or pet to get back at the victim. Still, many judges were reluctant to include animals in protection orders, Hughes said, because it is not spelled out in state law. Further complicating the matter, pets are considered personal property under the law and issues involving them seen as property disputes. “We want to make sure our abuse victims are secure, Hughes said.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 03:21:14 +0000
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