When we think about domestic violence, our minds often turn to the human victims — and rightly so. But too often, the silent victims of abuse are forgotten: the family pets. Research has shown a deeply troubling link between animal abuse and violence towards people, particularly intimate partners and children. It’s time for stronger laws to recognize and address this connection. I am calling for a new law, Duke’s Law, named in honor of a beloved pet lost to violence, to better protect animals and the families who love them.
The Link Between Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence
Studies have consistently shown that individuals who abuse animals are more likely to commit acts of violence against humans. According to the National Link Coalition, 71% of domestic violence survivors report that their abuser also targeted pets for harm, often as a method of intimidation and control (Ascione, 1998).
Dr. Frank Ascione, a leading researcher in the field of violence and animal abuse, wrote:
“The abuse of animals is often intertwined with violence towards human family members. Pets are not only companions, but symbols of love and safety — harming them is a brutal tactic of emotional abuse.”
In many households, pets are seen as family members. Abusers exploit that bond to terrorize their victims, threatening or harming animals as a way to exert psychological dominance.
A 2017 study published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence found that in homes where domestic violence is present, pet abuse occurs in 88% of cases (Volant et al., 2008). Moreover, the threat of violence against pets often prevents victims from seeking shelter or leaving abusive relationships.
Gaps in the Law
Currently, few jurisdictions provide adequate legal protection for animals in domestic violence cases. While some states allow pets to be included in protective orders, enforcement is inconsistent. Shelters that accommodate both survivors and their pets are still rare — leaving many victims to make an impossible choice between safety and abandoning a beloved animal.
The lack of formal, enforceable legal protections means that animal cruelty in domestic violence cases is often treated as a lesser offense, despite its serious implications for human safety.
Attorney Allie Phillips, a nationally recognized expert on the “Link,”
“When animals are abused, it is a red flag for serious family violence. Laws must treat animal cruelty as a predictor of human victimization, not an isolated crime.
What Duke’s Law Would Do
Duke’s Law would propose a series of essential reforms:
- Mandatory Inclusion: Require that pets automatically be included in protection orders in domestic violence cases.
- Increased Penalties: Elevate acts of animal cruelty in domestic violence contexts to felony status, with sentencing enhancements if the abuse was used as coercion or intimidation.
- Emergency Pet Housing: Fund and support shelters that accommodate survivors with their pets.
- Cross-Reporting Requirements: Mandate that animal control officers report suspected domestic violence to human protection services, and vice versa.
- Education and Training: Train law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges on the link between animal abuse and human violence.
By recognizing that pets are often used as pawns in abusive relationships, Duke’s Law would help save not just animal lives, but human ones too.
Why It Matters
The American Psychological Association recognizes that cruelty to animals is a strong predictor of future violence. Early intervention when animal abuse is identified could prevent future tragedies involving human victims.
We can no longer afford to treat animal abuse as a “lesser” issue. It is often the canary in the coal mine — the first visible sign of danger lurking in a household.
By enacting Duke’s Law, we affirm that compassion is not selective. We protect the vulnerable — whether they walk on two legs or four — and we send a clear message that violence will not be tolerated in any form.
Join the Movement
I’m calling on lawmakers, advocates, survivors, and animal lovers to rally behind Duke’s Law. Together, we can create a safer world for everyone — because where there is protection for animals, there is protection for families too.
#DukesLaw #ProtectPetsProtectFamilies #EndDomesticViolence
SIGN THE PETITION:
Academic References:
- Ascione, F. R. (1998). Violence Against Women: The Abuse of Animals and Domestic Violence. Violence Against Women, 4(3), 323–339.
- Volant, A. M., Johnson, J. A., Gullone, E., & Coleman, G. J. (2008). The Relationship Between Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse: An Australian Study. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 23(9), 1277-1295.
Would you like me also to help you draft a slightly shorter version you could post to social media?
Or help with a version to send to lawmakers or media outlets as a call to action?
We Are Not Broken 
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