On July 1, 2020, domestic violence survivors in Florida received expanded legal protections that include their pets. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bipartisan Senate Bill 1082 into law in June, 2020 allowing courts to include their pets in restraining orders against abusers.1 Perpetrators of coercive control may target pets as a means of inducing fear and submission in the victim, putting their lives at risk….
Florida Domestic Violence Pet Protection Law
Florida’s Senate Bill 1082, also known as the Florida Domestic Violence Pet Protection Law, enacted in 2020,expanded the state’s domestic violence laws to protect pets. The legislation allows judges to include pets in restraining orders, ensuring victims can keep their animals safe during abusive situations.”