New Massachusetts law includes pets in domestic violence restraining orders

From the Patriot-Ledger - Panzer, a 6-year-old Labrador mix, has become the first animal to win protection under the new state law.

Panzer’s owner, a 38-year-old woman, and her 2-year-old son are living in a shelter out of state to get away from a violent ex-boyfriend who had kicked and dragged the dog in the past. Panzer is living in a foster home until the woman can get established in a safe place and they can all be reunited.

According to the animal control officer:

This new law allows a judge to award the possession of an animal to the victim and to prohibit the accused from abusing, threatening or taking the pet.

More than 70 percent of abused women have reported that their batterers have threatened to hurt or kill their pets. They use these threats to force the women to stay or to refrain from calling the police. Since most shelters don’t allow pets, the women feel trapped into staying in an abusive situation.

The state of Massachusetts convicted a man of animal cruelty after he killed his girlfriend’s 8-week-old puppy. He was sentenced to a one-year jail term.

At least he probably won’t kill anything else for a year.

My question is why do so many women get involved with these scumbags?

Comments

[Sherry in MT]

HALLELUIAH! As for your question - it is a mind game and you'd be surprised how even the strongest of women can get sucked in to an abusive relationship (speaking from personal experience). I used to ask the same question then the Universe gave ME the life lesson. If you've not had that lesson, count your blessings!

[Kirsten]

That is huge and such an important development, since as you note the threat of violence to pets is so dreadfully common from domestic abusers.

I am not sure how it happens but I would expect that living with someone like that for some time just erodes your self-confidence and your will to such a degree that it is difficult to imagine a way out.

[Linda]

YEA! I love that the dogs are getting to stay with the family that loves them and the a##h*(e can't get to the pet or the family either one!!!!!

Linda
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[Pamela]

I was so thrilled to read this news. Hope Massachusetts' example leads more states to follow.

I'm especially impressed that the team who was helping this woman and her child included finding immediate foster care for the dog.

[Anji]

This should be done everywhere in the world.

I think that we all know that when we meet someone new it takes time to get to know them. I think that these men (sometimes women) know exactly how to hold back their violence until it is too late for their partner to get out easily.

[yellowdoggranny]

I wish shelters could accommodate pets..but this is as good..

[Dennis the Vizsla]

hello jan its dennis the vizsla dog hay this is verry gud nooz for dogs and cats and birds and goats and other animals wot otherwise mite be harmd by nasty hyoomans and for the peepul hoo luv them hoo mite otherwise not be willing to leev a dayndjerus sitchooayshun so gud on yoo mithical land of mass ... massach ... playse wot sownds like a sneez!!! pee ess thank yoo for yore kind thawts abowt tucker he is happy to be konsiderd part of yore pack!!! ok bye

[Jodi]

I like this! Someone some where has to set precedence!