Petition: Keep At-Risk Pets Safe From Domestic Abusers in Utah!

In the state of Utah, domestic violence rates are up. Right now, when a victim seeks a legal order of protection against an abuser, they could be putting their pets’ lives at risk. That’s why a new bill, HB 175, has been put forward that would allow those legal protections to extend to pets, the same way they do to children.

Abigail Benesh of the Humane Society of Utah said, “Abusers often exploit the emotional attachments their victims have to their pets. Their pets, then, become pawns in this cruel game of coercion, manipulation, and control in order to create an environment of fear and induced compliance.”

In one case last year, a Farmington man was arrested after two women accused him of abusing them and injuring or killing their animals. One of the women said he’d killed four of her cats within a two-month span, FOX13 reported.

According to a news source, “More than 70% of pet owners who arrive at a domestic violence shelter say their abuser had also threatened or harmed their animal.” And as many as “A quarter of survivors will go back to an abusive partner because they’re worried about a pet.” Representative Angela Romero’s bill would prohibit abusers from harming, threatening, or trying to take possession of an animal.

Source: KSL News/Youtube

Victims of domestic abuse often delay or avoid leaving a situation because their abuser may take their rage out on a pet. We need to make it easier for people and their pets to escape dangerous situations, together! Thirty-five other states already have similar protections in place to protect the safety and wellbeing of pets, and it’s high time Utah joined them.

Sign this petition to urge Utah legislators to pass this new bill and allow people who get legal orders of protection to extend those to their pets as well!

To continue speaking up, sign these other petitions as well:

• Petition: Help Abused New Jersey Pets Get Legal Help
• Stop Convicted Animal Abusers from Adopting Pets!

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