AKC Legislative Position Statement Protects Pets of Domestic Violence Victims and Ownership Rights - American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club re-emphasized its recognition and concern about the linkage between domestic violence and the abuse of pets with a new Canine Legislation Position statement on Protections for Pets Under Domestic Violence Acts at the recent April AKC Board Meeting.
The new position statement advises that The American Kennel Club supports additions to states’ domestic violence statutes that allow for the issuance of protective orders that seek to guard pets from harm, risk of harm or alienation. Such protections should include prohibiting alleged abusers from contact with pets and permitting grants of temporary exclusive care or control of a pet to a petitioning alleged victim. Statutes may also provide appropriate financial remedies for the petitioner to provide for the care of the animals subject to a protective order. These provisions should not impact the legal status of animals as property.
The statement, developed in conjunction with the AKC Delegates Legal Outreach committee, establishes AKC’s support for policies and amendments to domestic violence statutes that protect both humans and their pets from domestic violence, while also ensuring that such policies do not impact the crucial protections provided to pets and their owners due to the legal status of pets as property.