The link between animal cruelty and human violence is well documented in both study statistics and stories of abuse. Abusers know that they can control their human victims by threatening to harm the family pets, or by harming them and threatening worse injury to the animals and to the people who are trying to protect them. This manipulative behavior is far too common and it works quite well to demonstrate the abuser’s power and control, to retaliate against victims for acts of independence, to keep a victim silent and to coerce a victim to return.

Take the case that occurred in Boston in 2012, whereby a judge granted Panzer, a 6 year old Laborador mix — along with a human mother and her child — protection based on a law in Massachusetts that considers the welfare of animals in homes where domestic violence has taken place. The abuser was the mother’s violent boyfriend who aggressively attacked and dragged Panzer during there relationship.

The legislation that protected Panzer was passed as part of a larger bill called "An Act Further Regulating Animal Control." Under the law, which Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed in August 2012, when judges issue restraining orders in the state, in addition to commanding that the abuser stay away from the victim and any children involved, they can also demand that violent offenders steer clear of any household pets.

In all, 22 states and Washington, D.C., include pets in protection orders. According to animal protection agencies, some 70 percent of abused women report that their batterers threatened to kill their pets.

Making matters worse is that 50 percent of victims delay leaving abusive homes out of fear that their animals might be harmed. So, as Kara Holmquist, director of advocacy for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals notes, "It's good that [more] judges are becoming aware" of this issue.

Pending legislation aims to provide protection and safe shelter for pets of domestic violence victims. Introduced March 4, 2015, the Pet and Women Safety Act of 2015 (aka PAWS Act) is a proposed amendment to the federal criminal code involving personal protection orders.

What it does: The bill prohibits threats or acts of violence against a pet and includes federal grants for securing safe shelter for victimized animals.
Why it matters: The bill is much-needed. Abusers often harm pets to punish their victims for leaving or to force them to return. In fact, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence estimates that 71 percent of pet owners entering domestic violence shelters report that their batterer threatened, injured or killed their family pets.

Sadly, victims are more likely to postpone seeking safe shelter for themselves out of concern for their pets' safety. Nearly 40 percent of domestic violence victims are unable or unwilling to escape their abusers because they are too worried about leaving their pets behind. Pets provide added leverage for abusers to control victims and create fear.

If you are a victim of domestic violence and have a pet, then find a safe haven through the Animal Welfare Institutes Safe Havens Mapping Project for Pets of Domestic Violence Victims at https://www.thehotline.org/help/pets/.