Permits the family court to award custody of household pets to the plaintiff in a domestic abuse complaint, including the enforcement remedy of a restraining order or other injunctive relief.

## Summary of Rhode Island House Bill on Pet Custody in Domestic Abuse Cases

This bill would allow Rhode Island's Family Court to include household pets in protective orders issued in domestic abuse cases. Specifically, when someone files a domestic abuse complaint, the court could grant them custody of any household pets as part of the relief it provides. The court could also use restraining orders or other legal tools to enforce this pet custody arrangement, meaning the abuser could be legally prohibited from taking, harming, or interfering with the pets.

The bill affects people involved in domestic abuse proceedings in Rhode Island. It is designed to help victims of domestic violence who may be reluctant to leave an abusive situation out of concern for the safety of their pets. Research has shown that abusers sometimes threaten or harm pets as a way to control their victims, and some victims delay seeking help because they fear what might happen to their animals. By giving courts the explicit authority to address pet custody, the bill aims to remove one barrier that may prevent victims from seeking protection.

Currently, Rhode Island law allows courts to issue various protective measures in domestic abuse cases — such as ordering an abuser to stay away from the victim or granting temporary custody of children. This bill would expand those options to also cover household pets. The measure has moved through the legislative process, with a committee recommending passage of a substitute version of the bill, and it has been placed on the House calendar for further consideration.