A slew of bills will soon begin working their way through committees in the state Legislature, to determine whether they will move forward or be killed.
One bill that warrants support it that proposed by Rep. Andrea Boland, D-Sanford, which would include pets in protection from abuse orders.
Currently, pets are included in final protection from abuse orders, but not in earlier stages of the process, like emergency orders, thanks to a law passed in 2006.
Gov. Paul LePage has made combating domestic violence and related homicides a center of his agenda. Last year, he signed several bills into law that strengthen domestic violence statutes and protections of victims, as well as strengthening bail conditions for perpetrators of domestic violence.
We hope this focus of the Governor and Legislature will continue, and Boland’s and others’ bills that aim to protect victims of abuse and strengthen Maine’s related policies and procedures will remain a centerpiece of legislating.
Boland’s bill would surely help victims of abuse who may not want to leave their home for fear their pet may be injured, or even killed. Pets are often considered family members by their owners, and they can be just as much of a concern as a child is to a parent.
In an interview last week, Boland said, “I know that people worry about their pets and abusers often abuse animals. It’s not uncommon for pets to be used as a control mechanism.”
After speaking with attorney and former York County probate judge Donna Bailey, Boland said she knew the change needed to be made.
Caring Unlimited spokeswoman Emily Flowers agreed. There is a connection between domestic abuse and pet abuse, she said, and the legislation could help victims. Flowers added that Caring Unlimited works with the Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk to develop a program to address some of the issues and helps place pets in confidential foster homes.
While pet safety is important, the top concern is that victims of abuse could put themselves in further danger by not leaving their abuser for fear of retaliation through pet abuse.
Domestic violence has led to many unnecessary deaths over the years. And that will continue unless there is more leverage for law enforcement and the legal system, as well as tools for victims to get help and protection.
Domestic violence is a real problem in Maine. Domestic violence assaults increased by 4.6 percent in 2011.
In 2008, 20 of the 31 homicides that occurred were domestic violence related ”“ or 65 percent ”“ according to a 2010 report from the Maine Domestic Abuse Homicide Review Panel. In 2009, 10 of the 25 homicides that occurred were domestic violence related ”“ 35 percent.
In addition to a partner killing their spouse or boyfriend or girlfriend, children have also lost their lives to violence in the home, and surely pets have as well.
If adding pets to all levels of protection from abuse orders saves just one person from being beaten again ”“ or even saves their life ”“ it would be well worth the effort to get this law on the books.
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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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