Bill Would Protect Pets From Domestic Violence
Bill Would Protect Pets From Domestic Violence - Family News Story - KCCI Des Moines Video video available here
POSTED: 7:58 am CST February 19, 2009
UPDATED: 10:04 am CST February 19, 2009
WATERLOO, Iowa -- Animal-rights activists are pushing for court protection for animals caught between people in a domestic-violence situation.
Animal Rescue League of Iowa Director Tom Colvin said his agency provides a "safe house" or other forms of protection to at least one pet a week caught between two feuding parties.
Colvin said some battered-women's shelters don't allow pets, forcing owners to leave the animals in a home. Colvin said they fear the animals could be harmed or used as leverage to get the owner to return.
Legislation making its way through the Statehouse would expand the scope of judicial restraint in domestic abuse cases to include to include pets.