Baldacci(Maine Gov)Signs Pet Protection Law [View All]

[SiobhanClancy]

AUGUSTA — Victims of domestic violence will be able to get their pets protected by court order, thanks to a first-in-the-nation law signed by Gov. John Baldacci on Friday. The law, sponsored by Rep. John Piotti, D-Unity, allows judges to include pets in protection-from-abuse orders. If a pet is owned by a person who is abused, or his or her children, there will be civil penalties if an abuser threatens to harm or harms the pet, said Anne Jordan, an attorney and member of the Animal Welfare Advisory Council.

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http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/state/060401petprotect.shtml

I think this is wonderful. Evidently many abusers of people are also pet abusers,and in fact often abuse and threaten pets as part of their abuse pattern. It's great that the place in our families that pets occupy is being recognized in this way:)