Roraback Bill to Protect Pets in Domestic Violence Cases Passes State Senate

Hartford, CT – The Connecticut State Senate last night unanimously passed S.B. 284, An Act Concerning the Protection of Pets in Domestic Violence Cases. This bill, introduced by State Senator Andrew Roraback (R-Goshen), will allow judges to include a prohibition on harming or taking possession of a pet when issuing domestic violence restraining orders. The legislation, which passed the Judiciary Committee on April 13, now heads to the House for final approval.

“I am very grateful to all of my colleagues in the State Senate for moving so quickly to pass this important legislation,” said Senator Roraback. “Cruelty to domestic animals must never be tolerated and the risk for such cruelty is sadly elevated in situations where domestic violence has occurred. This bill will enable the Court to put anyone who would harm an animal in this context on notice that such behavior will be met with the harshest of sanctions.”

The idea for this law was brought to Senator Roraback by one of his constituents who worked with animal welfare groups from throughout the state to bring this matter to the legislature. Connecticut will join Maine, Vermont and New York in protecting animals in this way when this bill becomes law. The legislative session in 2007 will adjourn on June 6.

Senator Roraback is an Assistant Minority Leader and represents the 30th district communities of Brookfield, Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, New Milford, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Torrington, Warren, Washington, and Winchester.