a small step toward humane

Domestic abuse protection extended to pets

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Spurred by growing evidence of a link between domestic violence and animal abuse, Maine has enacted a first-in-the-nation law that allows judges to include pets in protection orders for spouses and partners leaving abusive relationships.

In helping pets, advocates hope to help battered women and others who aren’t willing to abandon their animals to get out of a bad relationship.