| Hartford,
CT – The Connecticut House of Representatives today
passed S.B. 284, An Act Concerning the Protection of Pets
in Domestic Violence Cases by a vote of 143-4. 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 State Senate on
May 2nd, now heads to Governor Rell’s desk where it
is expected to be signed into law.
“I
am again very grateful to my colleagues in the General Assembly
for helping move this bill through the legislative process
so efficiently,” said Senator Roraback. “This
is a common sense law that will reduce cruelty to animals
and afford greater protection and peace of mind to victims
of domestic violence. In many cases, domestic violence isn’t
reported because of threats made against a victim’s
pet, and too often abusers will maim or kill pets as a way
of emotionally terrorizing their spouses, partners and children.
This bill will protect pets and make it easier for some
victims of domestic violence to speak out.”
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
Governor Rell signs this bill into law.
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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