May 11, 2015

AKC Supports House Bill to Protect Pets of Domestic Violence Victims

By: sheila.goffe

http://www.akc.org/news/support-hb1258-paws-domestic-violence/ In the most recent of several initiatives to recognize the canine-human bond and to protect pets and their owners, the American Kennel Club has announced strong support for federal legislation (HB 1258) that would protect the pets of victims of domestic violence.

The 2015 Pet and Women Safety Act (the 2015 "PAWS" act), sponsored by Congresswomen Katherine Clark and Illeana Ros-Lehtinen, would amend current federal domestic violence protections to include pets in protection orders for human victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence.

Under HB 1258, a person who commits an interstate violation of a protection order would be subject to fines and/or imprisonment and restitution for veterinary care of a victim’s pet that was harmed as the result of an offense. It also creates an Emergency and Transitional Pet Shelter and Housing Assistance Grant Program to award grants for programs to provide assistance to victims of crimes related to stalking and domestic violence and establishes that states should encourage the inclusion of protections against violent or threatening acts against the pet of the person in domestic violence protection orders. Finally, it also encourages states to expand their legal protections for the pets of domestic violence victims. For some time, the AKC has recognized the complex dilemma involving pets and domestic violence. Sociological and psychological studies show that a significant percentage of domestic violence cases involving family victims also involve threats and/or actual harm perpetrated against pets. Far too often, victims of domestic abuse are reluctant to leave a dangerous situation for fear of the fate of a pet left behind. However, many domestic abuse shelters in the United States are not adequately equipped to provide housing for pets accompanying human victims.

Far too often, victims of domestic abuse are reluctant to leave a dangerous situation for fear of the fate of a pet left behind. However, many domestic abuse shelters in the United States are not adequately equipped to provide housing for pets accompanying human victims.

Since 2010, The AKC Humane Fund has been a leader in advocating and helping to address this issue. The AKC Humane Fund has provided more than 80 grants to shelters, women’s organizations and related groups to assist with arrangements for caring for the pets of domestic violence victims. The AKC Board of Directors re-emphasized its commitment to these concerns at its April Board meeting with the approval of a new Canine Legislation Position Statement on Protections for Pets Under Domestic Violence Acts. The AKC is proud to be a leader in this area, and is committed to helping that advance this measure and a similar measure in the U.S. Senate, as well as measures at the state level that protect pets and their owners, advance the human-canine bond and ensure the wellbeing of all dogs.

April 28, 2015

AKC Legislative Position Statement Protects Pets of Domestic Violence Victims and Ownership Rights

By: Staff Writers

The American Kennel Club re-emphasized its recognition and concern about the linkage between domestic violence and the abuse of pets with a new Canine Legislation Position statement on Protections for Pets Under Domestic Violence Acts at the recent April AKC Board Meeting.

The new position statement advises that The American Kennel Club supports additions to states’ domestic violence statutes that allow for the issuance of protective orders that seek to guard pets from harm, risk of harm or alienation. Such protections should include prohibiting alleged abusers from contact with pets and permitting grants of temporary exclusive care or control of a pet to a petitioning alleged victim. Statutes may also provide appropriate financial remedies for the petitioner to provide for the care of the animals subject to a protective order. These provisions should not impact the legal status of animals as property.

The statement, developed in conjunction with the AKC Delegates Legal Outreach committee, establishes AKC’s support for policies and amendments to domestic violence statutes that protect both humans and their pets from domestic violence, while also ensuring that such policies do not impact the crucial protections provided to pets and their owners due to the legal status of pets as property. For some time, the AKC has recognized the complex dilemma involving pets and domestic violence.  Sociological and psychological studies show that a significant percentage of domestic violence cases involving family victims also involve threats and/or actual harm perpetrated against pets.  A nationwide survey of 50 of the largest domestic violence shelters in the U.S , dating back to 1997, reports  that 85 percent of women and 63 percent of children in domestic violence shelters also reported domestic incidences of animal abuse.  

This troubling reality exacerbates the tragedy because many victims of domestic abuse are reluctant to leave a dangerous situation for fear of the fate of a pet left behind. Increasingly, shelters are working to make accommodations where possible for the pets of victims. However, many shelters are not adequately equipped or may not have the resources to provide housing for pets accompanying human victims. Since 2010, the AKC Humane Fund has been a leader in advocating and helping to address this issue. The AKC Humane Fund has provided more than 80 grants to shelters, women’s organizations and related groups to assist with arrangements for caring for the pets of domestic violence victims. The AKC is also pleased to advocate and work with shelters to raise awareness about the connection between victims and their pets, and ways that shelters can accommodate victims pets.  You can find out more about the AKC Humane Fund program here. “Protecting the Family Pet: The New Face of Maryland Domestic Violence Protective Orders”. Friedman and Norman, 40. U Balt. LAwForum, 81,86 (2009)

Canine Legislation Position Statement PROTECTIONS FOR PETS UNDER STATE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACTS

The American Kennel Club® supports additions to states’ domestic violence statutes that allow for the issuance of protective orders that seek to guard pets from harm, risk of harm or alienation.  Such protections should include prohibiting alleged abusers from contact with pets and permitting grants of temporary exclusive care or control of a pet to a petitioning alleged victim. Statutes may also provide appropriate financial remedies for the petitioner to provide for the care of the animals subject to a protective order. These provisions should not impact the legal status of animals as property.