Helping Animal and Human Victims Alike Escape Domestic Violence (Rhode Island)

The Animal Legal Defense Fund supports this bill.

Sponsors: State Reps. William O’Brien (D-54), Brandon Voas (D-57), Jacquelyn Baginski (D-17), Anthony DeSimone (D-5), Alex Finkelman (D-74), Matthew Dawson (D-65), Charlene Lima (D-14), Gregory Costantino (D-44), Patricia Serpa (D-27), and Robert Phillips (D-51), and State Sens. Dominick Ruggerio (D-4) and Senators David Tikoian (D-22), Matthew LaMountain (D-31), Jacob Bissaillon (D-1), Melissa Murray (D-24), and Dawn Euer (D-13)
Introduction Date: March 1, 2024

When humans are victims of domestic violence, all too often their animal companions are also victimized. It’s critical that our laws address this dynamic to protect human victims and animals alike.

If enacted, H.B. 7236/S.B. 2655 would expand the types of incidents and patterns of behavior that are deemed to constitute abuse in Rhode Island and enable a survivor of domestic violence to secure a protective order. This legislation would add certain serious animal cruelty crimes to the list of crimes that, when committed by one family or household member against another, can constitute domestic violence.

It is well-established that there is a strong link between cruelty to animals and violence toward humans, which has prompted a societal shift toward violence against animals being taken more seriously by law enforcement, judges, and policymakers. Effective protective orders are critically important for protecting victims of domestic violence. To be effective — in addition to keeping survivors together with their animals (as Rhode Island did in 2019 by ensuring that family courts can provide for the safety and welfare of household animals using protective orders) — they must also recognize that abusers use harm and threats of harm against domestic violence victims’ animal companions as a tool for control. Studies have shown that approximately half of women in domestic violence shelters report that they delayed their escape from their abuser out of fear for their animals’ well-being. Survivors should never have to make the difficult decision to leave their beloved companion animal in the hands of their abuser in order to escape a dangerous relationship.

Similar legislation has passed in 13 states — Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Utah, and Washington— as well as Washington, D.C.

​​Why is this legislation important?

Abusers often threaten or harm an animal in order to control or psychologically torment that animal’s guardian. Nearly three-quarters of women with companion animals who enter women’s shelters report that their abuser had threatened, injured, maimed, or killed family companion animals for revenge or to psychologically control victims.

Coalition Support:  The National Link Coalition

For more information about animal protection legislation in Rhode Island and opportunities to take action for animals, visit aldf.org/rhodeisland.