Emmaus House, local agencies work to keep pets safe, too
When a woman is experiencing domestic violence the last thing
most would think about is the safety of the family’s pets. But
there is a correlation between animal abuse and family violence,
according to Senate Bill 353.
Signed into law on Sept. 11, S.B. 353 authorizes courts to list
pets on restraining orders.
Emmaus House, local agencies work to keep pets safe, too
When a woman is experiencing domestic violence the last thing most would think about is the safety of the family’s pets. But there is a correlation between animal abuse and family violence, according to Senate Bill 353.
Signed into law on Sept. 11, S.B. 353 authorizes courts to list pets on restraining orders.
Fear for the life of a pet “makes people stay in situations they probably shouldn’t,” said Peggy Huffstutler, the house and program manager for Emmaus House. Emmaus House is a domestic violence shelter in Hollister.
Abusers use violence or the threat of violence against pets to maintain control of their victim, according to Alma Sanchez, the house manager of Emmaus House.
“Domestic violence isn’t just about violence, it’s about manipulation, and pets are a perfect tool for that,” Sanchez said.
Huffstutler agreed.
“A lot of the time the pets are abused right in front of them,” said Huffstutler, referring to women who experience domestic violence.
One group that advocated for the bill agreed with locals who work at the shelter. Pets are used to threaten women, according to Jeanette Zanipatin, Policy Director for the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence.
“A lot of times [the abuser] might harm or threaten the animal,” Zanipatin said, “And at the same time threaten the victim, saying, ‘next time it will be you.'”
S.B. 353 authorizes courts to grant the petitioner exclusive care of any pets owned by the petitioner, the abuser, or their children, according to the bill. It also authorizes the court to order to disallow any contact between the abuser and the animals.
If the abuser violates the court order to stay away from any pets, it is punishable as contempt. Contempt of court is a misdemeanor.
“I think that once a pet is included in a protective order, they may be more likely to stay away from the pet because there is always the threat of going to jail or having a misdemeanor on their record,” Zanipatin said.
The bill will help protect animals for families struggling with domestic violence, according to Rosie Betanio, the public information officer for the Hollister Police Department.
“I think [the bill] will probably resolve some issues,” said Betanio.
That is important, because what is good for the pet is good for the family. Women feel better when they know their pets are safe, Huffstutler said.
“It relieves them of a lot of the extra stress,” she said.
Safety of pets is an especially big concern for children.
“The kids feel a lot better when they know the pets are safe. That allows them to feel safe and to heal themselves better,” Huffstutler said.
The bill was needed because there were discrepancies in how animals in domestic abuse cases were handled around the state, according to Zanipatin.
“Some courts would not allow the inclusion of household pets and livestock [in restraining orders],” Zanipatin said. “There was such a disparity in what was going on in different regions and courtrooms.”
What to do about pets was left up to judges’ discretion, according to Jill Buckley, director of legislative services in the western region for the ASPCA. Judges could write pets into protective orders, but some were hesitant to do that.
“[Judges] felt that pets were personal property.” Buckley said. “They didn’t want to get involved in who had the right to possession of the pet because they felt they were getting involved in a personal property dispute.”
Staff at Emmaus House recognizes how important safety of pets is to women and families leaving violent situations. Emmaus House staff do not accept pets but they help women find temporary shelter for pets, according to Huffstutler.
Staff work with women to find family members who can temporarily care for the pet. When that is not an option members of the staff have provided temporary care.
As a last resort, Emmaus House staff has an agreement with the San Benito County Animal Shelter, according to Huffstutler. The shelter staff will house animals while women stay at Emmaus. Emmaus staff have not had to take the shelter up on their offer so far.
“At least [women] know it’s an option,” Huffstutler said.
