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House OKs bill allowing judges to include household pets in protective orders
Summary
House Bill 177 passed 164–3 to permit judges to include household pets in family-violence and dating-violence protective orders. Supporters cited evidence that abusers often threaten or harm pets to control victims and said the provision helps survivors who otherwise delay leaving abusive situations.
The Georgia House on Feb. 19 approved House Bill 177, permitting judges to include household pets in family‑violence and dating‑violence protective orders, by a vote of 164–3.
Representative Sharon Cooper, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure addresses a documented tactic of abusers: threatening or harming pets to coerce or control victims. "Nothing is worse than a father... threatening to kill in front of the children a family pet," Cooper said on the floor, and she recited research she cited in debate that roughly 40% of domestic‑violence victims report their pets were threatened.
Supporters argued adding pets to protective orders would reduce a barrier that keeps survivors from seeking safety, because many shelters will not accept animals and survivors may be reluctant to leave pets behind. Members also noted related elder‑abuse scenarios in which caretakers threaten animals to force financial transfers; supporters said that issue warrants additional attention in separate legislation.
After adopting the committee substitute and agreeing to the committee report, the House voted to pass the bill; the clerk reported the yeas 164, nays 3. If enacted, judges would have statutory authority to include protections for household pets in the relief they craft for survivors of family and dating violence.
