{"id":175,"date":"2025-02-13T15:27:56","date_gmt":"2025-02-13T15:27:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jjrlawfirm.com\/blog\/?p=175"},"modified":"2025-09-05T15:59:52","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T15:59:52","slug":"protection-abuse-orders-include-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jjrlawfirm.com\/blog\/protection-abuse-orders-include-pets\/","title":{"rendered":"New Pennsylvania Law: PFA Orders for Pets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
by Amanda M. Atkinson, Esq.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A PFA for your Pet? Protection from Abuse Orders will now include companion animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

House Bill 1210<\/a> (HB 1210) was signed into Pennsylvania law on November 18, 2024. The amendment is an attempt to address the link between domestic violence and animal abuse by providing additional relief for survivors and their pets. The act implements two important changes to Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of Pennsylvania Consolidated statutes. First, it expands Protection from Abuse Orders to include protection for companion animals. Second, it allows the protected party to be granted temporary ownership of the companion animal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Pennsylvania, a Protection from Abuse<\/a> (PFA) Order is a court order designed to protect victims of domestic violence from abuse by a family member, household member, intimate partner, or someone with whom they share a child. It can prohibit the abuser from contacting or approaching the victim, and may also include temporary custody arrangements or exclusive possession of a shared residence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because domestic abusers often abuse or threaten to abuse pets, many survivors hesitate or feel they cannot escape the situation as they worry for the animal\u2019s safety. Prior to HB 1210, Pennsylvania\u2019s Protection from Abuse statute only listed plaintiffs or minor children as parties to be protected by Protection from Abuse Orders. While the statute includes \u201cpersons who have a significant relationship with the victim\u201d in the definition of abuse victims, animals have never been included.[1]<\/a> The amendment now will allow Protection from Abuse orders to protect \u201cthe plaintiff [or], minor children or companion animal\u201d.[2]<\/a> The inclusion of companion animals will direct perpetrators of violence to refrain from harming not only the plaintiff, but any companion animal listed in the protection order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only does the order include language that demands the abuser not harm the pet, it also can grant the Survivor temporary ownership rights of the companion animal. Survivors will be able to take and advocate for the companion animal without worry of the abuser trying to reclaim the companion animal. The act specifically directs abusers \u201c to refrain from possessing, contacting, attempting to contact, transferring or relocating the companion animal or contacting or entering the property of any person sheltering the companion animal.\u201d[3]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The implementation of this act may allow domestic violence survivors to feel safer leaving or reporting their abuser knowing that their pet can be provided protection too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While this act is intended to support domestic abuse survivors, it also impacts family law. Though many of us consider pets to be members of the family, Pennsylvania law considers them personal property.[4]<\/a> As a result, this can complicate domestic violence situations if the abuser can argue ownership of the pet or if pets must be divided as property during divorce proceedings. In a divorce, property is usually split equitably between parties in a process called Equitable Distribution where courts will determine who retains what marital property if the parties cannot come to an agreement. Courts make these determinations by considering factors such as each parties\u2019 economic circumstance, length of the marriage, and the value of the property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HB 1210<\/a> shifts the treatment of pets from property to a more custody-like consideration. Courts can consider evidence of abuse or threats towards pets in determining which party should retain the animal after the divorce. If a survivor is considering or preparing for a divorce action, planning for their pet\u2019s safety as well is crucial. It is important to work with experienced family law attorneys who can help survivors navigate the inclusion of their pets in divorce proceedings.  While the act does not go into effect until January 17, 2025, it is likely that moving forward the recognition of emotional bonds between parties and pets will be a stronger factor in property and divorce proceedings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

[1]<\/a> 23 Pa. C.S. \u00a7 6102<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[2]<\/a> HB 1210, 2024 Gen. Assemb., Reg. Sess. (Pa. 2024).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[3]<\/a> Id.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[4]<\/a> 3 Pa. Stat. \u00a7 459-601<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A PFA for your Pet? Protection from Abuse Orders will now include companion animals. House Bill 1210 (HB 1210) was signed into Pennsylvania law on November 18, 2024. The amendment is an attempt to address the link between domestic violence and animal abuse by providing additional relief for survivors and their pets. The act implements … <\/p>\n

Continue reading New Pennsylvania Law: PFA Orders for Pets<\/span> →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[30,1],"tags":[27,28,29],"yoast_head":"\nNew Pennsylvania Law: PFA Orders for Pets - JJR Law Firm<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Give us a call today and let us explain how we can help you obtain a PFA for your pet. 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