Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus
11/21/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/21/2024 13:10
Mihalek: Bill to Protect Pets in Domestic Violence Situations Now Law
Nov. 21, 2024
HARRISBURG - Rep. Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington) today announced that bipartisan legislation (House Bill 1210 of 2023) to better protect victims' pets in domestic violence situations has been signed into law.
The bill, introduced by Mihalek, amends Pennsylvania's Protection from Abuse Act to give judges the ability to order the defendant to refrain from possessing, abusing or harming the petitioner's companion animal. Previously, Pennsylvania's Protection from Abuse Act gave judges the ability to order many kinds of relief to prevent further abuse but did not have explicit authority to order protective measures of a victim's pets.
"Studies and statistics show a clear connection between domestic violence and animal abuse. In fact, abusers are known to abuse pets as a means of intimidating or controlling their human victims," said Mihalek. "It's heartbreaking to think of how many victims actually stay in abusive situations out of care for their pets."
According to the Humane Society of the United States, data on domestic violence and child abuse cases reveal that a staggering number of animals are targeted by those who abuse their children or spouses. In one survey, 71% of domestic violence victims reported their abuser also targeted pets. Researchers have found links between coercive control and the abuse of pets, with abusers often using family pets as leverage in the torment of their victims, threatening to harm or kill them if their victims leave.
House Bill 1210 was a nearly four-year undertaking for Mihalek and Rep. Christina Sappey (D-Chester). It was passed by the House in 2023, passed in Senate earlier this month and signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro this week to become Act 146 of 2024.
"As a former county prosecutor, I have seen cases where a pet is used to manipulate victims to continue enduring abuse," Mihalek said. "This legislation is not just about making things safer for pets, but hopefully, it will remove what we know is a large and sometimes immovable barrier to victims seeking safety and justice."
The new law brings Pennsylvania in line with 37 other states, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Representative Natalie Mihalek
40th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
[email protected]
RepMihalek.com / Facebook.com/RepMihalek
The bill, introduced by Mihalek, amends Pennsylvania's Protection from Abuse Act to give judges the ability to order the defendant to refrain from possessing, abusing or harming the petitioner's companion animal. Previously, Pennsylvania's Protection from Abuse Act gave judges the ability to order many kinds of relief to prevent further abuse but did not have explicit authority to order protective measures of a victim's pets.
"Studies and statistics show a clear connection between domestic violence and animal abuse. In fact, abusers are known to abuse pets as a means of intimidating or controlling their human victims," said Mihalek. "It's heartbreaking to think of how many victims actually stay in abusive situations out of care for their pets."
According to the Humane Society of the United States, data on domestic violence and child abuse cases reveal that a staggering number of animals are targeted by those who abuse their children or spouses. In one survey, 71% of domestic violence victims reported their abuser also targeted pets. Researchers have found links between coercive control and the abuse of pets, with abusers often using family pets as leverage in the torment of their victims, threatening to harm or kill them if their victims leave.
House Bill 1210 was a nearly four-year undertaking for Mihalek and Rep. Christina Sappey (D-Chester). It was passed by the House in 2023, passed in Senate earlier this month and signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro this week to become Act 146 of 2024.
"As a former county prosecutor, I have seen cases where a pet is used to manipulate victims to continue enduring abuse," Mihalek said. "This legislation is not just about making things safer for pets, but hopefully, it will remove what we know is a large and sometimes immovable barrier to victims seeking safety and justice."
The new law brings Pennsylvania in line with 37 other states, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Representative Natalie Mihalek
40th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
[email protected]
RepMihalek.com / Facebook.com/RepMihalek
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