Protecting victims and their companion animals in domestic violence situations – PAWS

Domestic violence and companion animals

The Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act aims to protect domestic violence survivors and their companion animals. “When a woman who has been victimised makes a decision to protect a beloved pet, she is not a victim, and that’s important” “No one should have to make the choice between finding safety and staying in …

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Domestic violence continued for more than 4 months; family cat beaten to death

A Kentucky man remains in jail without bond after he beat a cat to death with a baseball bat then held his family at bay with a loaded rifle. A warrant was issued Thursday and executed on Friday for Brently Ray Vaught, 35, who remains in the Russell County Detention Center. Vaught is charged …

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Domestic violence which includes hurting a cat should be aggravated domestic violence

Man seriously hurt ex-girlfriends cat in dispute

It is not uncommon for a man to hurt his partner’s cat at the same time that he is hurting her in a domestic dispute which turns to violence. I read about it all the time. When this happens I would like to see a new offence being created which would be called “aggravated …

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Cat shelters could offer cat foster care to victims of domestic violence

Using foster carers to look after cats owned by victims of domestic violence

Women, who are usually the victims of domestic violence, are sometimes reluctant to leave the family home because of their cat companion. This also applies to other pets, of course. If the woman has to find temporary accommodation outside of the family circle it can be difficult for her to leave with her cat. …

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Domestic Violence and Cats: Distinct Differences between Men and Women

Injured cat

In general (and I stress ‘in general’) there are distinct differences in the behaviour between men and women under the circumstances of domestic violence when there is a family cat in the household.  The family cat is the vulnerable, innocent bystander between warring humans (as are children).  The behaviour of men and women towards …

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New law provides protection for pets in domestic violence situations

Ohio Legislative Service Commission: A new Ohio law is being debated which provides protection for pets belonging to domestic violence victims. This is very important because anyone who follows cat news will be aware that a lot of the time pets, often cats, are used as pawns in a hostile domestic environment. There are …

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You are escaping from domestic violence but what about your cat?

I would like, briefly, to write about an excellent and specialist service provided by Cats Protection in partnership with Dogs Trust. It operates in Greater London, Hertfordshire and Yorkshire. It is called the Dogs Trust Freedom Project. [Note to international visitors: this is a UK based initiative]. We hear a lot about domestic violence. …

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