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stlnet.com Springfield, Illinois People seeking court protection from abusive spouses or
others may soon be able to get that same protection for their pets, which can
often become targets in angry family disputes.
An infamous Metro East case last year, in which a boyfriend pulled the head off
his girlfriend's kitten following an argument, illustrates the need for the
additional protection, said Sen. William Haine, D-Alton, the bill's sponsor.
"I remember when I was (Madison County) state's attorney, where harm was done
to pets and other animals trying to harass (relatives or others)," said Haine.
"This expands that security for that person who's suffering from abuse."
Orders of protection currently are used to bar potentially violent people from
having contact with people they've threatened. The proposed new law would
extend that protection to pets of the family.
Advocates for the bill point to research showing a high correlation between
domestic abuse and animal abuse. A 1997 study showed that women in 85 percent
of battered women's shelters also reported incidents of animal abuse, and
children in 63 percent of shelters reported animal abuse.
"We've had cases where the woman fled … the guy goes and picks up the dog and
cuts the ears of the dog off," said Ledy VanKavage, a lobbyist for the American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "Basically (he) sends her
those ears and says, 'Come back to me or I'm going to kill your dog,' so she
goes back."
"There's an emotional attachment (to a pet)," said Pam Weber, a lobbyist for
the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. "…The threat of something
happening to those animals is often enough to make the victim do what the
perpetrator wants them to do."
Aggravated animal cruelty and animal torture are already felonies in Illinois,
and pets can be included in orders of protection by listing them as "property."
But by specifically allowing a pet's inclusion in orders of protection,
officials hope to deter the abusive behavior from occurring and raise awareness
among women that they can seek this extra protection.
Among the most sobering examples of the need for it, officials say, is the case
of Jacob Thornton of Bethalto, who ripped the head off his girlfriend's kitten
in July and left it in her yard after an argument with her. Thornton is serving
a two-year prison sentence for felony animal cruelty.
The case was cited Thursday on a list of the 100 worst animal abuse cases in
America last year, as determined by the Humane Society of the United States.
Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Jersey are considering similar legislation,
while Utah defeated the measure in February.
Maine, New York and Vermont passed similar legislation last year.
The bill is HB9.
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