New Pa. law protecting pets from domestic abuse starts next week

Act 146 of 2024, which protects pets from domestic abuse situations, will go into effect starting Jan. 17, 2025. The Humane Society states that 71% of domestic violence victims reported that their abuser also targeted their pets.

A new law aimed at protecting pets during instances of domestic violence is set to go into effect at the end of next week. 

House Bill 1210, originally introduced by State Reps. Christina Sappey (D-Chester) and Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny), amends Pennsylvania’s Protection from Abuse Act by giving judges the power to direct defendants from possessing, abusing or harming their partner’s, or petitioner’s, pets. 

The law previously gave judges the ability to order different types of relief to prevent further abuse, but it did not explicitly give authority to protect a victim’s pets. 

HB 1210 cleared the Pennsylvania House by a bipartisan 130-73 vote in July 2023. It was then approved by Pennsylvania Senate 47-1 at the end of the previous legislative session in Nov. 2024 and signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro as Act 146 of 2024.

“We have known for some time the horrific link between domestic violence and animal abuse,” Sappey said in a statement. “Abusers will use harming pets to further torment the victim or keep them from leaving, exacerbating an already traumatic situation.” 

According to a survey conducted by the Humane Society of the United States, 71% of domestic violence victims reported that their abuser also targeted their pets. 

It took Sappey and Mihalek close to four years to get HB 1210 across the finish line with the support of more than 70 law enforcement agencies, domestic violence and animal welfare organizations. 

Act 146 aligns Pennsylvania with 37 other states, including Washington DC and Puerto Rico. 

“This is an issue that transcends political lines because we all understand the importance of protecting the vulnerable – whether human or pet. I am so grateful to my House and Senate colleagues for understanding the consequences of this issue and acting to get this legislation through,” Sappey said.