So often, abusers also abuse pets. Abusers often threaten to injure or kill a pet to control the victim and keep her from leaving.
There is a bill in the senate that not only offers protections for pets it helps people because it makes it easier to leave, knowing you can protect your pet. Currently, a protective order can protect you, your children, your car and other possessions, but not a pet.
Please contact your senator if you are in support of this bill. Here is the wording for SF 177. http://coolice.legis.iowa.gov/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&menu=true&ga=85&hbill=SF177
The bill was introduced by Senators Beall, Bolkcom, Hogg, Dvorsky, Dotzler, Seng, Petersen, Hart, Horn, Dearden, Ragan, McCoy, and Quirmbach.
We hope this bill is not too “controversial” to pass this session.
from WHO-TV:
“The Iowa Senate is looking at a bill to better protect pets in domestic abuse households. The bill would make it easier for victims of domestic abuse to include their pets in a protective order.
Commercial livestock are not included under the bill, only companion pets.
Advocates say this is about people more than it is pets. According to the American Humane Association, roughly 70 percent of pet-owning women entering shelters reported their abuser had injured or threatened to abuse a family pet to control their victims.
Adrienne Smith has spent three years working with politicians pushing this bill forward.
Let’s make this easier for a victim to leave a dangerous relationship. Let’s give them one little thing, one law that’s going to make it easier for them to leave,” Smith said.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously in favor of the bill last week.
There is not yet a set date for when the full Senate will take up the bill.”
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