House OKs bill extending abuse protections to pets

A bill allowing judges to extend protective orders to include pets passed the House Tuesday.

HB342 passed 39-29.

Rep. Scott Wyatt, R-Logan, told his colleagues that pets are often threatened in domestic violence situations.

Wyatt said that abusers harm animals or threaten to them as a "means of control."

He explained that judges can currently issue protective orders that cover personal property, cars and houses, but pets are not covered.

"This bill is very simple in all that it does is add (pets) to the list of personal property," he said.

Wyatt said the bill would "take away one of the things that controlling, abusing partners have at their disposal."

The bill now goes to Senate for committee assignment.