Imagine a society in which all victims of domestic abuse -- including companion animals -- are protected.

Each year throughout Washington, countless victims of domestic violence risk their lives to protect their defenseless animals from harm. Research has shown that up to 48 percent of battered women remain in abusive homes out of concern for leaving their pets behind.

Yet, sadly, Washington’s current domestic violence law does not protect companion animals.

House Bill 1148 addresses this issue directly. In an effort to stop abusers from harming or threatening to harm companion animals, the bill allows judges to include the animals in domestic abuse protective orders. A protective order is a legal order issued by a court that requires one person to stop harming, stay away from and/or cease contact with another person or, in the case of this bill, that person's pets as well.

We owe it to the countless domestic violence survivors throughout Washington, and their pets, to pass this bill.

HB 1148 is waiting for a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee. Ask Chair Jamie Pedersen and Vice-Chair Roger Goodman to schedule the bill for a committee hearing and to vote for its passage.

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