There are many victims of domestic violence, including pets, who are often caught in the crossfire and wind up either victims of abuse at the hands of the domestic abuser, or used as pawns to keep victims from leaving.

It may sound incredible to some people, but there are many women who will not leave an abusive situation if they can’t stay somewhere that allows animals–and most shelters do not. (You would have to drag me kicking and screaming from my dog and cats, so I sympathize.)

According to American Humane, 71% of pet-owning women entering women’s shelters reported that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control victims; 68% of battered women reported violence towards their animals, 87% of these incidents occurred in the presence of the women, and 75% in the presence of the children, to psychologically control and coerce them; 13% of intentional animal abuse cases involve domestic violence; and between 25% and 40% of battered women are unable to escape abusive situations because they worry about what will happen to their pets or livestock should they leave.

Battered women have even been known to live in their cars with their pets for as long as four months until an opening was available at a pet-friendly safe house.

Fortunately, many women’s shelters are establishing “safe haven” foster care programs for the animal victims of domestic violence–some women’s shelters are even building kennels at their facilities.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, three states — Maine, New York and Vermont — have already enacted laws permitting family pets to be included in protective court orders involving cases of domestic violence. Such court orders are meant to shield animals as well as spouses and domestic partners from abusers. An additional 12 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey,  Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia, have considered “pet protection” legislation.

With over 100 safe haven programs currently operating today in the U.S., many victims no longer have to choose between their safety and their pets.

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When it comes to dangerous dogs, I blame the owners, not the canines.

Before you shake your head and say to yourself, “Well, she must have never gotten bit by a dog before,” you can save your breath, because I have. I was bit on the buttock by a doberman when I was a child, and my dog was bit by a rottweiler last year. And no, I don’t cower from dobermans or rottweilers, or even pitbulls. I’ve even donated my time to a local pitbull rescue group.

Instead, I blame the people who leave their dogs chained outside all day every day, the people who don’t respect and cultivate the pack mentality that’s ingrained in dogs, and, most of all, the people who are in any teeny tiny way involved in the disgusting “sport” of dogfighting.

The Humane Society of the United States ranked the 50 states in four tiers, according to whether they consider each of three offenses (dogfighting itself; being a spectator of dogfighting; and possession of fighting dogs) a felony, a misdemeanor or legal. Within those tiers, the states are ranked by length of jail sentence and fines imposed.

Yes, dogfighting is a crime in every state, and it’s good to see some states take the crime very seriously, but some states are VERY lax in punishment. We’ve come a long way, but there’s still a long way to go toward making dogfighting punishments fit the crimes in each and every state.

Rankings
First Tier: Three Felony Provisions

NJ
All are crimes of the 3rd degree, 3-5 years, Max $15,000 
 
LA
All are felonies, 1-10 years, $1,000 – $25,000 
 
AL
All are Class C felonies, 1-10 years, Max $5,000 
 
CO
All are Class 5 felonies, 1-3 years, $1,000 – $100,000

MS
Felony, 1-3 years, $1,000 – $5,000
Felony, Max 1 year, $500 – $5,000
Felony, 1-3 years, $1,000 – $5,000 
 
AZ
Class 5 Felony, 9 mo. – 2 years, Max $150,000
Class 6 Felony, 6 mo – 1 ½ years, Max $150,000
Class 5 Felony, 9 mo. – 2 years, Max $150,000 
 
OH
All 4th Degree felonies, 6 – 18 months, $5,000 
 
NC
All Class H felonies, 4-8 months – 5-10 months 
 
PA
All 3rd Degree felonies, Max 7 years, Max $15,000 
 
NH
All Class B felonies, Max 7 years, Max $4,000

OR
All Class C felonies, Max 5 years, Max $125,000

NE
All Class IV felonies, Max 5 years, Max $10,000

WA
All Class C felonies, Max 5 years, Max $10,000 
 
CT
All felonies, Max 5 years, Max $5,000

FL
All 3rd degree felonies, Max 5 years, Max $5,000
 
VT
All felonies, Max 5 year, Max $5,000

VA
All Class 6 felonies, Max 5 years, Max $2,500
 
MI
Felony, Max 4 years, $5,000 – $50,000, 500 – 100 hours community service Felony, Max 4 years, $1,000 – $5,000, 250 – 500 hours community service  Felony, Max 4 years, $5,000 – $50,000, 500 – 100 hours community service 
 
RI
Felony, Max 2 years, Max $1,000 
Felony, Max 2 years, Max $1,500 
Felony, Max 2 years, Max $1,000  
 
NM
All 4th Degree felonies, 18 months, Max $5,000

Second Tier: Two Felony Provisions

GA
Felony, 1-5 years, Max $15,000
Misdemeanor, Max 1 year, Max $1,000
Felony, 1-5 years, Min $5,000

IL
Class 4 Felony, 1-3 years, Max $25,000
Class A Misdemeanor, Max 1 year, Max $2,500
Class 4 Felony, 1-3 years, Max $25,000 
 
MN
Felony, Min 1 year 1 day
Misdemeanor, Max 90 days, Max $1,000
Felony, Min 1 year 1 day 
 
OK
Felony, 1-10 years, $2,000 – $25,000
Misdemeanor, Max 1 year, Max $500
Felony, 1-10 years, $2,000 – $25,000 
 
TN
Class E Felony, 1-6 years, Max $3,000
Class C Misdemeanor, Max of 30 days, Max $50
Class E Felony, 1-6 years, Max $3,000 
 
KS
Level 10 nonperson felony, 1-5 years, Max $100,000
Class B nonperson misdemeanor, Max 6 months, Max $ 1,000
Level 10 nonperson felony, 1-5 years, Max $100,000 
 
KY
Class D Felony, 1 – 5 years, $1,000 – $10,000
Class A Misdemeanor, Max 12 months, Max $500
Class D Felony, 1 – 5 years, $1,000 – $10,000 
 
IN
Class D Felony, 6 mo – 3 years, Max $10,000
Class A Misdemeanor, Max 1 year, Max $5,000
Class D Felony, 6 mo – 3 years, Max $10,000 
 
MO
Class D Felony, Max 10 years
Class A Misdemeanor, Min 6 months 
Class D Felony, Max 10 years 
 
AR
Class D Felony, Max 6 years, Max $10,000
Class A Misdemeanor, Max 1 year, Max $1,000
Class D Felony, Max 6 years, Max $10,000 
 
AK
Class C Felony, Max 5 years, Max $50,000
Violation, No jail time, Max $500
Class C Felony, Max 5 years, Max $50,000 
 
DC
Felony, Max 5 years, Max $25,000
Misdemeanor, Max 180 days, Max $1,000
Felony, Max 5 years, Max $25,000 
 
UT
3rd Degree Felony, Max 5 years, Max $25,000
Class B misdemeanor, 6 months, Max $1,000
3rd Degree Felony, Max 5 years, Max $25,000 
 
IA
Class D Felony, Max 5 years, $750 – $7,500
Aggravated misdemeanor, Max 2 years, $500 – $5,000
Class D Felony, Max 5 years, $750 – $7,500 
 
ND
Class C Felony, Max 5 years, Max $5,000
Class A Misdemeanor, Max 1 year, Max $2,000
Class C Felony, Max 5 years, Max $5,000 
 
SC
Felony, Must be 5 years or $5000 or both
Misdemeanor, Must be 6 mo or $500 or both
Felony, Must be 5 years or $5000 or both 
 
MA
Felony equivalent, Max 5 years (state prison) or Max 1 year (house of correction), Max $1,000 
Misdemeanor equivalent, Max 1 month, Max $250
Felony equivalent, Max 5 years (state prison) or Max 1 year (house of correction), Max $1,000 
 
ME
Class C crime, Court must impose a fine of $500 max, in addition to: Max 5 years, Max $5,000
Class D crime, Max 1 year, Max $2,000
Class C crime, Court must impose a fine of $500 max: in addition to: Max 5 years, Max $5,000 
 
ID
Felony, Max 5 years, Max $50,000
Misdemeanor, Max 6 months, $100 – $5,000
Felony, Max 5 years, Max $50,000 
 
WI
Class I Felony, Max 3 years, 6 months, Max $10,000
Class A misdemeanor, Max 9 months, Max $10,000
Class I Felony, Max 3 years, 6 months, Max $10,000 
 
MD
Felony, Max 3 years, Max $5,000
Misdemeanor, Max 1 year, Max $2,500
Felony, Max 3 years, Max $5,000 
 
CA
Felony, 16 months or 2 or 3 years, Max $50,000
Misdemeanor, Max 6 months, Max $1,000
Felony, 16 months or 2 or 3 years, Max $50,000 
 
DE
Class F Felony, Max 3 years, Discretionary fine
Class A Misdemeanor, Max 1 year, Max $2,300
Class F Felony, Max 3 years, Discretionary fine 
 
WY
Felony, Max 2 years, Max $5,000
Misdemeanor, Max 6 months, Max $750
Felony, Max 2 years, Max $5,000
 
SD
Class 6 Felony, Max 2 years, Max $4,000
Class 1 Misdemeanor, Max 1 year, Max $2,000
Class 6 Felony, Max 2 years, Max $4,000 
 
Third Tier: One Felony Provision
 
WV
Felony, 1-5 years, $1,000-$5,000
Misdemeanor, Max 1 year, $100-$1,000
Misdemeanor, Max 6 months, $300-$2,000 
 
NY
Felony, Max 4 years, Max $25,000
Misdemeanor, Max 1 year, Max $1,000
Misdemeanor, Max 1 year, Max $15,000 
 
TX
State jail felony, 180 days – 2 years
Class A misdemeanor, Max 1 year, Max $4,000
Class A misdemeanor, Max 1 year, Max $4,000 
 
Fourth Tier: Allows Possession or Spectators
 
MT
Felony, 1-5 years, Max $5,000
Legal
Felony, 1-5 years, Max $5,000 
 
HI
Class C Felony, Max 5 years, Max $10,000
Legal
Class C Felony, Max 5 years, Max $10,000 
 
NV
Category D Felony, 1-4 years, Max $5,000
Misdemeanor, Max 6 months, Max $1,000
Legal 
 

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The tornado that rocked northern Colorado on May 22 did more that disrupt lives, it also displaced many pets. That’s why the Weld County Animal Response Team (CART) rescued around 120 animals.

Of those animals, the Weld County Sheriff’s Office says 68 percent were dogs, 25 percent cats and 7 percent reptiles.  

First the animals were taken to the Windsor Recreation Center, but because that is an outside location, they were then moved to the Humane Society of Weld County in Evans.  

Anyone who lives in the area (or knows someone who does) and is missing their pet can call the Humane Society at 970-506-9550.

The CART is made up of animal control offices with the Weld County Sheriff’s Office, Firestone Police Department and the Dacono Police Department as well as workers at the Humane Society of Weld County, Westridge Animal Hospital, Alpine Animal Hospital, Vets Animal Hospital and the Eagle Spirit Mobile Clinic.

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This week (May 18 through 24) is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, and although the majority of attention-getting dog bites pertain to dog v. human, I can attest to the fact that dog v. dog bites are just as traumatic and harrowing.

I know of what I speak, because when I was a child, I was bit in the buttock by our neighbors dog, a Rottweiler. Ironically, about 30 years later, my own dog was bit by a Rottweiler. 

Although there are dog breeds that have reputations as biters, I don’t blame the dog, I blame the owner. In fact, an estimated 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, but most of these incidents are preventable.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are some steps you can take to lessen the risk that your dog will bite.

1. Spay or neuter your dog, which will reduce your dog’s desire to roam and fight with other dogs.
2. Socialize your dog by introducing your dog to many different types of people and situations, so that he or she is not nervous or frightened under normal social circumstances.
3. Train your dog at a training class and involve the whole family–every member of your household should learn the training techniques and participate in your dog’s education.
4. Teach your dog appropriate behavior. Don’t teach your dog to chase after or attack others, even in fun, and set appropriate limits for your dog’s behavior.
5. License your dog as required by law, provide regular veterinary care, including rabies vaccinations, don’t allow your dog to roam alone, and make your dog a member of your family (experts say that dogs who spend a great deal of time alone in the backyard or tied on a chain often become dangerous).
6. Err on the safe side–if you don’t know how your dog will react to a new situation, be cautious; if your dog may panic in crowds, leave him at home; if your dog overreacts to visitors or delivery or service personnel, keep him in another room.

If your dog does bite:

• Confine your dog immediately and check on the victim’s condition. If necessary, seek medical help.
• Provide the victim with important information, such as the date of your dog’s last rabies vaccination.
• Cooperate with the animal control official responsible for acquiring information about your dog. If your dog must be quarantined for any length of time, ask whether he may be confined within your home or at your veterinarian’s hospital. Strictly follow quarantine requirements for your dog.
• Seek professional help to prevent your dog from biting again. Consult with your veterinarian, who may refer you to an animal behaviorist or a dog trainer. Your community animal care and control agency or humane society may also offer helpful services.
• If your dog’s dangerous behavior cannot be controlled, do not give him to someone else without carefully evaluating that person’s ability to protect him and prevent him from biting. Because you know your dog is dangerous, you may be held liable for any damage he does even when he is given to someone else.
• Don’t give your dog to someone who wants a dangerous dog. “Mean” dogs are often forced to live miserable, isolated lives, and become even more likely to attack someone in the future. If you must give up your dog due to dangerous behavior, consult with your veterinarian and with your local animal care and control agency or humane society about your options.

For more information, click here and here.

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This week is American Humane Association’s “Be Kind to Animals Week®”.

Be Kind to Animals Week, observed May 4 through 10 this year, is the oldest event in the nation to celebrate the companionship, friendship and love that animals bring into people’s lives.

Animal shelters throughout the country hold special events during this week to raise awareness about being kind to animals and to teach people about the benefits of the human-animal bond.

Be Kind to Animals Week is a great time to promote the wonderful work being done by the nation’s animal welfare organizations and to encourage everyone to get involved to make a difference for animals.

How To Be Kind to Animals
Here are some simple things you can do during Be Kind to Animals week and throughout the year to show kindness to animals:

1. Speak out for animals
   Get active in local animal welfare policies and legislation.
2. Report animal abuse
   While acts of violence against animals are tragic in their own right, they are also a red flag for other violent behavior, including domestic abuse and violent crime.
3. Appreciate wildlife
   Create an inviting space in your yard and garden for butterflies, hummingbirds and other creatures.
4. Share kindness
   Teach the people in your life, especially children, about the importance of being kind to animals.
5. Make a donation to your local animal shelter
   A donation can be your time, money, or needed items like pet food or laundry detergent. Call them first and see what they need.
6. Adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue organization
   Approximately 8 to 12 million animals enter our nation’s shelters every year, and more than half of these pets will have to be euthanized because of a lack of homes. Local shelters are the best place to find companion animals, even purebreds — one out of every four dogs in a shelter is a purebred.
7. Spay & Neuter
   If you have pets, make sure they are spayed or neutered.
8. Keep Yours Safe
   Pets should be microchipped and should always wear a collar with an ID tag, so they can be reunited with you quickly if they are ever lost. Also take your pet to the veterinarian every year for vaccinations and a health check.

About American Humane
American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Founded in 1877, American Humane is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit membership organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link® between animal abuse and other forms of violence, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond.

American Humane’s regional office in Los Angeles is the authority behind the “No Animals Were Harmed”® end credit disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane’s office in Washington is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels.

Visit www.americanhumane.org to learn more.

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I’m a major animal nut. I try to help every animal I encounter, I’m a rescue/adoption advocate, and, a long time ago, I even thought I wanted to be a veterinarian (I worked for a vet hospital for a total of two days, then I quit because I was constantly crying).

I’m also the type of person who has to get up and leave the room if I see an animal being hurt. I didn’t make it through March of the Penguins (I had to leave during the passing of the eggs), missed part of Eight Below, and have never seen Old Yeller all the way through.

So I practically had to tie myself to a chair to sit through Oprah’s expose on puppy mills last week. It probably wasn’t very good planning on my part to tape the show and then start watching it a few minutes before we were leaving to meet friends for dinner (Mike came out in the living room, saw tears streaming down my face and said, “Great. They’re going to think I beat you before we left the house.”)

But I am so glad I taped the show, because I have been able to tolerate it in five- to 10-minute increments, and my eyes have been opened (once again) to the horrors that many dogs face on a daily basis, all their lives.

I’ve rescued a greyhound, and the little I’ve read about a greyhound’s life on the track has allowed me to give Greta a lot of leeway in regards to certain behavior issues we’ve faced.  

Regarding the Oprah expose, it was due in large part to Bill Smith, founder of Main Line Animal Rescue. Every year, Main Line rescues hundreds of abused, unwanted or abandoned animals, rehabilitates them and then adopts them out to families. Many of these animals are from puppy mills, which Bill describes as “places where bad breeders care more about the profit they make from puppies than the health or welfare of the animals.”

During the show, Lisa Ling and her hidden camera joined Bill on a tour of puppy mills in Pennsylvania. (According to The Humane Society of the United States, there may be as many as 10,000 puppy mills operating across the United States. They are all perfectly legal.)

Many of the dogs born in puppy mills end up in pet stores or sold on the Internet. Most people don’t understand that the cute puppy they just bought had to endure the most terrible conditions during its first weeks of life, and that cute puppy’s mom or dad is still living in the most deplorable, unspeakable conditions.

Bill, who has fostered relationships with hundreds of breeders across Pennsylvania, askes for the dogs they no longer want or the ones they’re planning to kill. These dogs are typically either older females and younger males, because breeders only need one or two male dogs to breed with every 20 fertile females.

At one puppy mill they visit, Bill speculates that many of the dogs have never walked in the grass, although they live on a 60-acre property. At another, they find about 40 dogs in wire-floored rabbit cages stacked to the ceiling in a room reeking of urine and feces. At another, they see outdoor cages filled with Pomeranians, and Bill says that not only have those dogs probably never been out of those small cages, but it’s likely that they remain outside even in bad weather and could die from exposure.

During their visits, Bill rescues dozens of dogs. He says that sometimes when he’s out to pick up a dog, the breeder has had the dog eight or nine years and it doesn’t have a name. it’s never been out of the hutch, it doesn’t know how to walk, and he has to carry it to the car. Some have also had their vocal chords damaged by a pipe in order to keep them from barking.

Despite the inhumane conditions the dogs lived in before their rescue, Bill says they usually start to show signs of rehabilitation in about two weeks.

Main Line Animal Rescue has rescued approximately 7,000 to 8,000 animals—about 5,000 of those from puppy mills. Their placement rate is about 99 precent, and Bill has also opened his home to some of the dogs (he currently has 10, but has had up to 12 at once).

The show’s message is clear: Don’t buy a dog at a pet store or off the Internet, because you will most likely be supporting puppy mills. Instead, head to your local shelter or animal rescue organzation.

According to Bill, a third to 50 percent of the animals in shelters, depending on the location, are purebred dogs, and if you don’t find what you’re looking for, there are also breed-specific rescues throughout the country. (If you must have your pedigree dog, look for a quality breeder.)

To help win the shelter battle, Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, recommends spaying and neutering to prevents the needless killing of millions of animals. Dr. Shelly Rubin, who treats Oprah’s dogs, says spaying or neutering is one of the best things you can do for your pet’s health.

To read the truth about animal shelters and responsible breeders, click here. To read more about what you need to know before getting a dog, click here. To find out how to help shut down puppy mills, click here.

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