We need Duke’s law to help protect all victims of domestic violence - including our pets 

Watching the system fail has compelled me to take action and advocate for the most vulnerable among us – our pets, who often become the first targets of abusers.

Despite the FBI’s classification https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/animal-cruelty-is-a-predictor-of-current-and-future-crime-070619 of animal cruelty as a Group A felony, enforcement lags because:  

- Legal Loopholes: Pets are considered "property" in most states [ORS 167.320] https://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/167.320 

- Police Dismissal: "It’s just a dog" mentality (even with video evidence).  

- Fear of Retaliation: Victims often don’t report abuse.  

My abuser began his reign of terror by exerting control over our beloved animals, and this escalated into a much darker illustration of domestic violence. It's a terrifying parallel to the fact that abusers often start with pets, testing to see what they can get away with before escalating their abusive behavior.



This lack of recognition enables abusers to commit acts of cruelty against animals with little to no repercussion. Moreover, severe animal cruelty is classified as a Class C felony, the same category as bicycle theft. This comparison is fundamentally flawed and fails to capture the severity of this heart-wrenching act. 
Duke’s Law proposes to reclassify severe animal cruelty as a Class B violent felony, thus aligning it with similar serious crimes such as assault and homicide.

 Furthermore, Duke’s Law calls for a cross-reporting mandate, requiring animal control to alert Child Protective Services and the police when they encounter cases of abuse. This is critically important, as recognizing and addressing early signs of cruelty can prevent the escalation of violence.

 Duke’s Law also calls for the creation of a centralized database to effectively track abusers across all domains, including animal cruelty, domestic violence, and child protective services. 

For the sake of our dear pets, who bring so much joy and comfort to our lives, we must advocate for the passage of Duke’s Law to ensure they are granted the protections they deserve. The safety and welfare of animals caught in domestic violence situations are no less important than ours. Together, let's give them a voice. Please sign this petition to support the passage of Duke’s Law.