Alaska state lawmakers seek pet protection in domestic violence cases

BY STEVE QUINN
JUNEAU, Alaska Tue Mar 17, 2015 8:46pm EDT

(Reuters) - The well-being of pets would be considered in divorce, domestic violence and other types of cases under a bill introduced in the Alaska legislature, lawmakers said on Tuesday.

The bill is in part designed to disarm abusers who use pets as leverage, said Republican State Representative Liz Vazquez of Anchorage, one of the bill's authors.

"More and more animals are used by an abuser for punishment, manipulation or revenge against a victim," Vasquez said. "They will threaten to kill, maim or torture a pet to gain control over the family."

The bill, introduced on Monday, also would amend domestic violence statutes to include temporary care or protection for animals.

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