Utah bill to protect pets from domestic abuse moves forward

By BETHANY RODGERS
Salt Lake Tribune

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A panel of lawmakers has advanced a bill that aims to give domestic violence survivors more options for protecting their pets. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that the proposal from Rep. Angela Romero that would allow survivors to include their pets on court-issued protective orders. That would prohibit the abuser from harming, threatening or trying to take possession of the animal. Advocates say more than 70% of pet owners who arrive at a domestic violence shelter say their abuser had also threatened or harmed their animal and up to a quarter of survivors will go back to an abusive partner because they’re worried about a pet.