People who face domestic violence often witness the abuse of their pets - pets are threatened, abused, and sometimes killed as a means of controlling and intimidating human victims. Animal abuse may also be an indicator of other violence in the home. Yet when people seek safety from domestic violence, they are rarely asked about non-human members of their family – and they are often required to separate from their beloved pets in order to escape the abuse.

The panel will discuss the current domestic violence shelter system, related laws including new legislation allowing pets to be included in orders of protection, and the challenges faced in providing safe housing for all domestic violence victims - both human and companion animal.

Moderator:
JANE HOFFMAN
President, Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals

Speakers:
KALA GANESH, M.S.W.
Executive Director, CONNECT

TANYA McLEOD
domestic violence survivor

CAROL MORAN
Kings County District Attorney's Office

MARIE PHILIP, M.S.W.
Executive Director, Office of Domestic Violence, NYC Human Resources Administration

SUSAN URBAN, M.S.W.
Consultant, Alliance for Safety for Animals and People

Sponsored by: Committee on Legal Issues Pertaining to Animals, Jane Hoffman, Chair