Ayotte, Peters Introduce The Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act

Press Release

U.S. Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Gary Peters (D-MI) this week introduced the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act, legislation that would protect victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence from emotional and psychological trauma caused by acts or threats of violence against their pets. Multiple studies have shown that domestic abusers often seek to manipulate or intimidate their victims by threatening or harming their pets.

The PAWS Act would amend the federal criminal code to prohibit threats or acts of violence against a person's pet under the offenses of stalking and interstate violation of a protection order. Further, the bill requires the full amount of the victim's losses for purposes of restitution in domestic violence and stalking offenses to include any costs incurred for veterinary services relating to physical care for the victim's pet.

"Domestic violence victims should not have to choose between their own personal safety and that of their pet," said Senator Ayotte. "Domestic violence is about power and control, and all too often we see abusers harming or threatening to harm pets in an attempt to exercise control over their victims. The PAWS Act provides important authorities and resources to help empower victims of domestic and sexual violence and stalking to leave abusive situations and seek help."

Amanda Grady Sexton, Director of Public Policy for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, said, "Our local crisis centers have all too often seen the painfully difficult decisions that victims face when abusers take advantage of emotional attachments to family pets. The legislation Senator Ayotte has introduced will help to make sure that victims do not need to make the choice between protecting their pet or leaving an abusive relationship, and we are very thankful for her efforts."

Hillsborough County Sheriff James Hardy, President of NH Sheriff's Association, said, "Studies show that a large majority of pet-owning women entering domestic violence shelters report that their abusers threatened, harmed or killed family pets in order to control them. However, very few domestic violence shelters permit pets, leaving victims with scant options to protect themselves and their pets. Senator Ayotte's legislation will help to better protect victims of domestic violence and help New Hampshire law enforcement officials curb incidences of these crimes in the Granite State."

Franklin Police Chief David B. Goldstein, PhD., said, "Protecting our animals is long overdue and necessary for the safety and well-being of all involved in domestic violence situations. We know that pets, companion animals and domesticated animals are easy targets for abusers. The ability for the courts to include the protection of animals in both temporary and final protective orders is not just growth, but an evolutionary legislative step. I completely support Senator Ayotte's efforts in this regard."

"In 2014, New Hampshire passed a Pet Protection law allowing victims of domestic violence to include their pets in protective orders but what happens when those families must travel to another state without those same protections?" said Lindsay Hamrick, New Hampshire State Director for The Humane Society of the United States. "New Hampshire lawmakers recognized that domestic violence impacts all family members - two and four legged - and we must now safeguard the pets of abuse victims nationally. We know that countless women stay in abusive situations for fear of their pets' safety and we are grateful to Senator Ayotte for working to ensure these families are protected."

The legislation further directs the Department of Agriculture to award grants to eligible entities to carry out programs to provide specified housing assistance, support services, and training of relevant stakeholders to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking and their pets.

The ASPCA reported that a study in Wisconsin found that "68% of battered women revealed that abusive partners had also been violent toward pets or livestock; more than three-quarters of these cases occurred in the presence of women and/or children to intimidate or control them." Moreover, a 2014 New York Police Department study found that 71 percent of pet-owning women entering domestic violence shelters reported that their abusers threatened, harmed or killed family pets. Yet, only a small number of domestic violence shelters permit pets.

The PAWS Act has been endorsed by the Humane Society, National Sheriff's Association, the National Network to End Domestic Violence, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

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