In June, the California Assembly Public Safety Committee will consider a bill that seeks to expands the definition of stalking to include behavior that seeks to harm or threaten a domestic violence victim’s pets, service animals, or emotional support animals. This bill would bring California in line with the federal stalking statute.
AKC encourages California residents to ask the leadership of the Assembly Public Safety Committee to support Senate Bill 89.
Summary:
Senate Bill 89 addresses stalking statute by bringing state law in line with federal law concerning the act of threatening or seeking to harm domestic violence victim’s pet.
Numerous studies and feedback from law enforcement officers indicate that a significant percentage of domestic violence situations also involve threats of, and outright abuse of pets. Studies have shown that nearly half (48%) of women delay leaving an abusive situation out of concern for their pet and 70% of victims report their abuser threatened, injured or killed their pet. Sadly, many abusers often use maltreatment or threats of abuse against pets as leverage to prevent victims from fleeing abusive relationships. In one study, 25% of the participants reported that they returned to an abusive relationship out of concern for their pets.
Contact Committee Leadership in Support of Senate Bill 89:
- Kevin McCarty (Chair) (Sacramento)
District Office: (916) 324-4676
Capitol Office: (916) 319-2006 - Juan Alanis (Vice-Chair) (Modesto)
District Office: (209) 521-2201
Capitol Office: (916) 319-2022
In your communications, be sure to include that it is important to support the bill as it is currently written, no amendments are needed. Also be sure to mention why it is so important to protect vulnerable people and their beloved pets from being further traumatized by their abusers.
When the bill is officially called for a hearing, AKC will provide further updates.
AKC Government Relations continues to monitor bills in California impacting dog owners and will provide updates. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.