New Law Shields Pets and People: Act 146 Expands PFA Protections to Include Companion Animals

A Protection from Abuse (PFA) is a civil court order to help protect victims of domestic violence, providing relief from abuse by an intimate partner, family or household member.

Under a PFA, the abuser can have no contact with the victim or the victim’s children, must

relinquish any weapons and must leave the home where the victim lives. However, it is no secret that abuse is often not just limited to humans in a home. Violent individuals often threaten pets to torment a victim or use them as a tool to keep a victim in a horrific relationship.

With the number of PFAs filed statewide continuing to increase, animal advocates, domestic violence organizations, and law enforcement agencies have pleaded with lawmakers to eliminate a barrier that often prevents individuals from leaving dangerous situations.

Act 146 was signed into law last month that gives judges the power to block a defendant from possessing or harming a victim’s companion animal by including them in Pennsylvania’s Protection from Abuse Act. The legislation defines “companion animal” as those not used in commercial agriculture. Until this recent passage, judges only had very limited authority to protect pets when issuing restraining orders. Many prosecutors and law enforcement officials found this to be a major problem.  

Data shows a link between domestic violence and animal abuse. As many as 71% of domestic violence victims report their abuser targeted their pets. Unfortunately, more than half of victims who file for PFAs decide to remain in a home in fear for their pets’ wellbeing, leading to prolonged suffering for both. Because of the new law, now no one is forced to choose between their safety and the safety of a beloved pet.

Prior to passage of Act 146, Pennsylvania was one of only 12 states that did not automatically consider the welfare of pets in protective orders. The new law will go into effect in mid-January.