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File #: O-401-21    Version: Name:
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 8/6/2021 In control: Metro Council
On agenda: 10/28/2021 Final action: 10/28/2021
Title: AN ORDINANCE ADDING A NEW SECTION TO THE LOUISVILLE METRO CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 91 TO ADDRESS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ANIMAL ABUSE AND INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE (AMENDMENT BY SUBSTITUTION).
Sponsors: Paula McCraney (D-7), Marilyn Parker (R-18)
Attachments: 1. O-401-21 V.3 CABS 10.20.21 Ord RE Animal Abuse and Interpersonal Violence.pdf, 2. O-401-21 PROPOSED CABS 102021 LINK BETWEEN ANIMAL ABUSE AND INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE.pdf, 3. O-401-21 PROPOSED CABS 100621 LINK BETWEEN ANIMAL ABUSE AND INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE.pdf, 4. O-401-21 V.2 CAM 091521 ORD RE ANIMAL ABUSE AND INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE.pdf, 5. O-401-21 V.1 081221 Ord RE Animal Abuse and Interpersonal Violence.pdf, 6. ORD 158 2021.pdf
ORDINANCE NO. _______, SERIES 2021
TITLE
AN ORDINANCE ADDING A NEW SECTION TO THE LOUISVILLE METRO CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 91 TO ADDRESS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ANIMAL ABUSE AND INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE (AMENDMENT BY SUBSTITUTION).
BODY
SPONSORED BY: COUNCIL MEMBERS MCCRANEY AND PARKER

WHEREAS, in homes where intentional animal abuse has occurred, evidence demonstrates there is an increased probability that some other type of interpersonal violence is also happening;
WHEREAS, animal welfare, law enforcement, domestic violence and child welfare agencies across the United States are working together more and more in recognition of "the Link", the indisputable tie between animal abuse and crimes against people, particularly within the family;
WHEREAS, research supports "the Link" between acts of cruelty to animals and violence toward humans including child abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse, and other abusive behavior;
WHEREAS, in a 2017 study of animal abuse court cases, 82% of the defendants had committed other crimes. The list in order of frequency: intimate partner abuse, assault, child or elder abuse, drugs, weapons, gambling, and gang-related crimes;1
WHEREAS, a landmark 1997 study by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Northeastern University found that animal abusers are five times as likely to also harm other humans;2
WHEREAS, in the 1997 study, out of 53 families who met the legal criteria for child abuse and neglect, 60% of these families abused or neglected companion animals. In 88% of the families where there was physical abuse of the children, there was animal abuse;
WHEREAS, a study of women seeking shelter at a safe house showed that 71% of those having pets affirmed that their partner had threatened, hurt or killed their companion animals;3
WHEREAS, in a groundbreaking 2018 study, the FBI Behavioral Science Unit found that in 59.9% of the animal cruelty cases, the offenders engaged in interpers...

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