A Bill to Add a Companion Animal Protection Order for Victims of Domestic Violence (New York)

​The Animal Legal Defense Fund​ supports ​this bill.

Sponsors:​ State Sen. James Skoufis (D-42)

​Introduction Date:​ May 15, 2025

A bill being considered in the New York Legislature, S. 8035, would authorize courts, upon the issuance of an order of protection (also known as a restraining order), to order that the exclusive care, custody, and control of certain companion animals be granted to the petitioner.

This legislation would help address the fact that perpetrators of domestic violence often use animals as a powerful tool for the control, manipulation, and intimidation of human victims by threatening, harming, or killing a victim’s companion animal. Protection orders are court orders protecting domestic violence victims from their abusers. This bill would add these specific companion-animal provisions to the current protection-order laws of New York’s Family Court Act, Criminal Procedure Law, and Domestic Relations Law.

As of December 2025, 42 of the 50 states and three of the six U.S. territories specifically permit courts to include animals in protection orders. Learn more about laws enabling animals to be included in protection orders.

Why is this legislation important?

Numerous studies have documented the link between animal cruelty and domestic violence. Offenders often use animals as tools in their abuse, exploiting the close bond that victims have with their companion animals. Abusers may threaten or harm an animal in order to control or psychologically torment the animal’s guardian. Sadly, this form of coercive control is extremely effective.
 
This legislation would give courts the authority to consider the safety of domestic violence victims’ companion animals, and in doing so, protect both animal and human victims.

​​For more information about animal protection legislation​ in New York ​and opportunities to take action for animals, visit our New York state page.