Hartford,
CT – The Connecticut State Senate last night unanimously
passed S.B. 284, An Act Concerning the Protection of Pets
in Domestic Violence Cases. This bill, introduced by State
Senator Andrew Roraback
(R-Goshen), will allow judges to include a prohibition on
harming or taking possession of a pet when issuing domestic
violence restraining orders. The legislation, which passed
the Judiciary Committee on April 13, now heads to the House
for final approval.
“I
am very grateful to all of my colleagues in the State Senate
for moving so quickly to pass this important legislation,”
said Senator Roraback. “Cruelty to domestic animals
must never be tolerated and the risk for such cruelty is
sadly elevated in situations where domestic violence has
occurred. This bill will enable the Court to put anyone
who would harm an animal in this context on notice that
such behavior will be met with the harshest of sanctions.”
The idea for this law was brought to
Senator Roraback by one of his constituents who worked with
animal welfare groups from throughout the state to bring
this matter to the legislature. Connecticut will join Maine,
Vermont and New York in protecting animals in this way when
this bill becomes law. The legislative session in 2007 will
adjourn on June 6.
Senator Roraback is an Assistant
Minority Leader and represents the 30th district communities
of Brookfield, Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Kent, Litchfield,
Morris, New Milford, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Torrington,
Warren, Washington, and Winchester.
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