Help pets and people stay out of harm’s way

Pets are family. As such, many victims of domestic violence fail to seek protection because they are fearful for the safety of their pets.

Utah House Bill 175 would allow people to petition the courts to include pets on personal protective orders and stalking injunctions. This would apply regardless of whether the pet was owned by the victim or the accused abuser.

Statistics across the country and in Utah have shown that more than two-thirds of women at domestic violence shelters say their abusers have threatened or harmed their pets as well. Thirty-five other states allow similar forms of protection in personal protective orders. It’s time for Utah to do the same.