PA 07-78—SB 284

Judiciary Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF PETS IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES

SUMMARY: This act permits courts to issue protective orders for animals owned or kept by victims of family violence, stalking, or harassment. The orders may, at a minimum, prohibit respondents or defendants from injuring or threatening to injure the animals. In family violence cases, the order may be in the form of a civil restraining, or criminal protective, order.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2007

BACKGROUND

Restraining and Protective Orders

Courts typically issue restraining and protective orders to protect victims of family violence crimes from threatened or further harm. Courts may issue protective orders for victims of stalking or victims of 1^st or 2^nd degree harassment who reasonably fear for their safety. Restraining and protective orders may, among other things, prohibit the respondents (or defendants in criminal cases) from restraining, threatening, harassing, assaulting, molesting, sexually assaulting, or attacking the victim, or entering the victim's home. Restraining orders are generally effective for six months. Protective orders are a condition of bail or other release from incarceration.

Criminal violation of a restraining or protective order is a class D felony (see Table on Penalties).

OLR Tracking: SNE: KM: PF: dw