Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill into law that includes family pets in domestic violence protective orders. That means Floridians fleeing households because of domestic violence can now request restraining orders that protect both themselves and their animals from their abusers. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 89 percent of female pet owners entering domestic violence shelters report that their abuser threatened, harmed or killed a family pet. Pensacola Humane Society Director Jennifer Bitner helped to successfully lobby the bill through both chambers of state government.
