Help Protect Human and Animal Victims of Domestic Violence
Please take a moment to contact your Representative—in Somerville Denise Provost and Carl Sciortino—and ask them to support H.1499, a bill that would help protect victims of domestic violence and their companion animals in Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) joins many domestic violence organizations in supporting this legislation. As an alternative to contacting Representatives Provost and Sciortino directly, you can take action by entering your contact information in the MSPCA'a web-based form which will automatically send a letter of support to your legislator. If you prefer to contact your Representative directly, you can find out who your legislators are by entering your address at wheredoivotema.com: Contact your "Rep in General Court."
According to the MSPCA
This bill would specifically allow judges to include pets in temporary restraining orders (issued pursuant to Chapter 209A). If a judge finds reason to include a companion animal in the order of protection, the petitioner is given exclusive custody, care and control over the animal.
The stories about animal abuse and domestic violence that this legislation would help to prevent are horrifying. More information is available from the MSPCA about current legislation about pets and abuse prevention.