Maine Law Protects Animals From Domestic Abuse

I was disappointed in the 2004 election when Maine voted not to make bear baiting illegal like the rest of the country. However, in the two years since I’ve been here, I have been increasingly surprised by Maine’s progressive march into this new century.

On Friday, Governor John Baldacci signed a bill that includes animals in protection orders in domestic violence cases!

“Many national studies on victims of domestic violence tell us that their abusers have threatened to kill, threatened to harm or actually harmed their pets as a means of keeping the victim from leaving the relationship,” Mr. Baldacci, a Democrat, said. “With this new law, we hope to help remove another tool for emotional and physical violence used by the abuser to exert power and control over their victims.”Maine is believed to be the first state with such a law. But the issue has captured attention around the country as police departments, domestic-violence programs, animal protection societies and state officials become increasingly aware of a link between domestic violence and animal abuse. [“New Maine Law Shields Animals in Domestic Violence Cases” (The New York Times)]

Yeah for Maine!

tags: Maine, domestic violence

One comment

1. on April 16, 2006 at 10:04 am

   Tor said:

   On the one hand, this is the first thing time in a long while that I’ve been in agreement with our governor.

   On the other hand, I think this law will have just about as much effect as protection from abuse orders. The important thing is to have a way for abused women and their pets and children to be able to vacate their situations quickly and safely. Then it won’t matter if there’s a law about the pets.

   Peace,

   Tor

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