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HARRISBURG – In a bid to address a critical yet often overlooked aspect of domestic violence, Senator Dan Laughlin (R-49) has introduced a new bill aimed at extending protections to animals caught in such situations.
Citing data from the Humane Society of the United States, Laughlin underscored the alarming frequency with which animals become targets in cases of domestic abuse. “A staggering number of animals are targeted by those who abuse their children or spouses,” he stated, highlighting that a survey revealed 71% of domestic violence victims reported their abusers also targeted their pets. Laughlin emphasized the need to prevent abusers from exploiting animals to exert control or inflict psychological harm on their victims.
Currently, protection orders issued by courts safeguard domestic violence victims from their abusers. However, Laughlin noted a critical gap in these orders, stating that judges lack explicit authority to prohibit defendants from harming or killing a victim’s pets.
To address this deficiency, Laughlin’s proposed legislation, Senate Bill 1105, aims to curb offenders from using animals as tools of abuse. By recognizing the profound bond between victims and their companion animals, Laughlin stressed that his bill seeks to empower judges to extend protection from abuse to include the victim’s pets. This, he argues, will not only alleviate additional stress on the victim but also hinder abusers from leveraging animals to perpetuate control and coercion.
The introduction of Senate Bill 1105 signals a significant step toward recognizing and addressing the multifaceted dynamics of domestic violence, marking a potential milestone in safeguarding both human and animal victims of abuse.