Domestic Abuse: Pet Safety

Sadly, there’s a connection between animal abuse and domestic abuse. Maltreatment or abuse of a family pet can cause a partner to be afraid to leave their abuser.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline’s article on pet safety states that as many as 65% of domestic violence victims are unable to escape abusive situations because they’re concerned about what will happen to their pets. With this in mind, they offer numerous tips for those experiencing abuse to help keep their family pets safe.

A military protection order, or MPO, is the military equivalent to a civil protection order, or CPO, designed to safeguard a victim on the military installation. Once a victim decides to make an unrestricted report of domestic abuse, a military commander can issue an MPO.

Within the MPO form, the person experiencing abuse may request to include their pet as protected property. If a family resides off the installation, the victim can seek a CPO to extend their safety and boundaries into the surrounding civilian community. To learn more about MPOs, visit Domestic Abuse Help — Military Protection Orders and Pets.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse and are seeking help, visit the Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate Locator to find your nearest Family Advocacy Program office, or contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 to be connected with an advocate and receive immediate emotional support and safety planning.