ASPCA applauds Illinois' drive to increase protections for domestic violence victims and their pets

The passage of HB 9 will help to protect pets in domestic violence disputes

[May 24, 2007]  NEW YORK -- The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals applauded the passage of a bill that will allow judges to include animals in an order of protection. The Illinois Senate voted unanimously on Tuesday to pass House Bill 9, a bill that the ASPCA has worked closely alongside legislators to implement.

Research has shown that, much like children, pets are often used as pawns in domestic violence. Without provisions to adequately protect their pets, victims of interpersonal violence may feel compelled to remain in abusive situations. Consider the following statistics:

• 83 percent of directors of the largest shelters for battered women in the U.S. indicated that women entering the shelters discussed incidents of pet abuse in the family.

• 71 percent of pet-owning women in shelters reported that a pet had been threatened, injured or killed by their abuser.

• 49 percent of pet-owning victims who fled their abusers and sought shelter continued to worry about their animals after entering shelter.

• Illinois House Bill 9, sponsored by Rep. John Fritchey, addresses these issues by enabling judges to include animals in orders of protection. The petitioner is given exclusive custody, care and control over the animal. The judge can order the respondent to stay away from the animal and forbid the respondent to take, transfer, encumber, conceal, harm or otherwise dispose of the animal.

"We and the entire animal-loving community are extremely grateful to Rep. John Fritchey for sponsoring this important bill," said Ed Sayres, president and chief executive officer of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "Victims of domestic violence should never have to fear for their pets' safety when making the decision to leave a violent situation. This bill goes a long way in ensuring that this won't happen."

About the ASPCA

Founded in 1866, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was the first humane organization established in the Western Hemisphere and today has 1 million supporters. The ASPCA's mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides national leadership in anti-cruelty, animal behavior, humane education, government affairs and public policy, shelter support, and animal poison control. The New York City headquarters houses a full-service animal hospital and adoption facility. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York's animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series "Animal Precinct" on Animal Planet. Visit www.aspca.org for more information.

[Text from news release received from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals]