Protect Washington's Pets from Domestic Violence

Imagine a society in which everyone -- including pets -- is protected from abuse.

Each year throughout Washington, countless victims of domestic violence feel they have no choice but to remain in violent households in order to protect their defenseless pets from harm. Research has shown that up to 48 percent of domestic violence victims remain in abusive homes out of concern for leaving their pets behind. Sadly, animals are not currently included in the state’s domestic violence law.

Washington House Bill 2836 addresses the domestic violence-related animal abuse crisis head-on. In an effort to stop abusers from harming or threatening to injure pets, the bill allows judges to include in domestic violence protective orders any animal owned, possessed, leased or kept by a victim of domestic abuse.
We owe it to the countless domestic violence survivors in Washington to get this bill passed.

How you can help
Please support this important bill by asking Judiciary Committee Chair Pat Lantz to schedule HB 2836 for a hearing and to vote for its passage.

Source: American Humane