Georgia House Bill 177 seeks to provide protection for household pets in both family violence and dating violence protective orders. The American Kennel Club (AKC) encourages all Georgia dog owners to contact the House Judiciary Committee to express support for HB 177 prior to the hearing tomorrow (Tuesday, February 11) at 1:00 pm. (Scroll down for more information on the hearing)
WHAT THE BILL DOES
HB 177 would amend two sections of Georgia’s law on interpersonal violence protection orders.
First, under the section of state law that protects against family violence, protections for household pets would be classified as personal property protections; and allow courts to assign custody, care, and control of any animal owned, possessed, kept, or held as a household pet.
The amendment would allow protection orders that direct a respondent to refrain from harassing, harming, or transferring the pet.
Household pet is defined as an animal kept for human companionship and enjoyment or an animal which is owned or possessed by either party of the controversy or their minor child; and does not include livestock, lab animals, working animals, sport animals, or any other animal kept for a commercial purpose or consumption.
Second, the same protections would be provided in the section protecting against dating violence.
POSITION
AKC supports additions to states’ domestic violence statutes, as provided in HB 177, that allow for the issuance of protective orders that seek to guard pets from harm, risk of harm, or alienation. Such protections should include prohibiting alleged abusers from contact with pets and permitting grants of temporary exclusive care or control of a pet to a petitioning alleged victim. Statutes may also provide appropriate financial remedies for the petitioner to provide for the care of the animals subject to a protective order. These provisions should not impact the legal status of animals as property.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Georgia residents are encouraged to contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee TODAY to express support for House Bill 177. The committee is scheduled to consider the bill tomorrow, Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 1PM.
Representative Stan Gunter, Chairman – (404) 656-5125, stan.gunter@house.ga.gov
Representative Matt Reeves, Vice Chairman – (404) 656-0325, matt.reeves@house.ga.gov
Representative Rob Leverett, Secretary – (404) 656-0213, rob.leverett@house.ga.gov
Representative Omari Crawford- (404) 656-0314, omari.crawford@house.ga.gov
Representative Buddy DeLoach – (404) 656-0178, buddy.deloach@house.ga.gov
Representative Check Efstration – (404) 656-5052, chuck.efstration@house.ga.gov
Representative Stacey Evans – (404) 656-0116, stacey.evans@house.ga.gov
Representative Scott Holcomb – (404) 656-6372, scott.holcomb@house.ga.gov
Representative Soo Hong – (404) 651-7737, soo.hong@house.ga.gov
Representative Todd Jones – (404) 656-9210, todd.jones@house.ga.gov
Representative Trey Kelley – (404) 656-0188, trey.kelley@house.ga.gov
Representative Martin Momtakan – (404) 656-0178, martin.momtahan@house.ga.gov
Representative Mary Margaret Oliver – (404) 656-0265, mary.oliver@house.ga.gov
Representative Mitchell Scoggins – (404) 656-0254, mitchell.scoggins@house.ga.gov
Representative Deborah Silcox – (404) 657-1803, deborah.silcox@house.ga.gov
Representative Tyler Paul Smith – (404) 657-7853, tyler.smith@house.ga.gov
Representative Anne Allen Westbrook – (404) 656-0116, anneallen.westbrook@house.ga.gov
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org; or the Georgia Canine Coalition by using this contact form.