The bill amends Section 12-29-2 of the Domestic Violence Prevention Act to expand the definition of domestic violence to include specific animal cruelty offenses. The new insertions specify that unnecessary cruelty to an animal owned or cared for by a household member, malicious injury to or killing of such an animal, and abandonment of an animal owned or cared for by a household member are now considered acts of domestic violence. This change aims to recognize the impact of domestic violence on animals within the household and provide legal protections for them.

The bill also retains the existing definitions of family or household members, protective orders, and victims as they relate to domestic violence. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5669: 12-29-2