Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act
Today at the headquarters of the MSPCA, Congresswomen Clark announced the passing of the PAWS act. As many of our readers know, my sister-in-law (Steph's sister Kim Parker) was a victim of domestic violence. The night of the attack, shoe-less and without a coat, she managed to get the dogs out of the house away from her abuser husband. Her two beloved golden retrievers were by her side when she died licking her face to wake her up. This law will help those victims of domestic violence who have to care for their pets as well as themselves during the most trying of times. Steph strongly advocated for this law.
House
of Representatives
Bill Name:
Pet and Women Safety Act (H.R. 909) |
Senate
Bill Name:
Pet and Women Safety Act (S. 322) |
Help
Domestic Violence Survivors Find Safety: Support the Pet and Women Safety
(PAWS) Act
Any member of a household can become
a victim of domestic violence: spouses or partners, children, elderly
relatives, even companion animals. In fact, many human victims are reluctant to
leave if they cannot take their pets with them, for fear of what the abuser
might do to their pets. The PAWS Act will help bridge the gap between the
tremendous need for services for domestic violence survivors with pets and the
ability of agencies to meet those needs.
The
Connection Between Domestic Violence and Animal Cruelty
Sixty-eight percent of all US
households—82.5 million homes—include a companion animal.[i]
In most cases they are cherished members of the family. However, when there is
violence in the home, it can be directed at the pets as well as the people who
live there. Pets are often treasured sources of emotional support, unconditional
love, and stability for abused partners and children. Abusers are well aware of
the bond between their victims and their companion animals, and they exploit
that bond to control, manipulate, frighten, and punish their victims. Because
there are few resources for victims with pets, abusers’ threats to harm the
pets are often effective, thus locking victims and their companion animals in a
cycle of abuse.
26 Comments:
Congrats to you and Steph Jim for all you do on this issue. Heartbreaking to read about the dogs licking your sister-in-laws face to wake her up the night she died. My sincere condolences to you and Steph
I read this posting and then cried for 15 minutes picturing these dogs trying to wake your sister-in-law up while she was dead. How heartbreaking an image. Hope this bill prevents anyone else from suffering that awful death. I can not get that picture out of my head. So very very sad
GUT WRENCHING. HOPE THE BASTARD IS LOCKED UP FOREVER WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DOGS?
sad story but do you really think this new act will change anything assholes will remain assholes no matter what regs you pass to stop them
Did this happen in Framingham? I never heard anything about this before.
He's been moved from Shirley to Norfolk and did not pursue his payroll hearing this month. He may be let out next year after serving 4 of the 4 to 6 year sentence. The investigation into the cause of her death is still going on, thanks to Steph's persistence, Mike Baudett from Fox and now channel 5 and the Brockton Enterprise.
After Kim's death the family asked the abuser if they could take the dogs, we never heard a word about what their fate was.. along with Kim's ashes.
As the years pass we still have hope for the things that could have and should have been investigated are now being reviewed by the authorities. I still believe strongly that he poisoned her so she could not testify against him.
Not in Framingham, E Bridgewater over 5 years ago now.
I hope the dogs ate the bastard
Has he been charged in her death, and if not, why not after all this time?
sounds like another guy being blamed by some woman for something he did not do if you ask me we have all seen this before if he killed her he would be charged,right?
No idea where the dogs are or your sister-in-laws ashes? What a low life this guy must be
I just saw this on the local news. Unbelievable story. Glad Rep. Clark is working to help these women. As to the idiot saying this abuser is innocent, what planet do you live on?
In the culture we live in now we see more and more cases of abuse, either because men feel they can get away with it more than in the past or because women feel they can speak more openly about it because of the Me too movement. Whatever the reason we need to find a way to help these women, and the children that live in these abusive homes or we will be creating a generation of abusers and the cost of that will be very high.
https://www.boston25news.com/video?videoId=891012411&videoVersion=2.0
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/PAWS-Act-to-Help-Protect-Pets-and-Humans-From-Domestic-Violence-Katherine-Clark-Donald-Trump-503086341.html
https://www.necn.com/news/new-england/PAWS-Act-to-Help-Protect-Pets-and-Humans-From-Domestic-Violence-Katherine-Clark-Donald-Trump-503086341.html
Unbelievable
Saw this story on Fox tonight. Curious why no local coverage
me too. The MWDN was notified of the event. Petroni media did something on the big picture... but not the local aspect.
That’s why no one reads the local press. They cover fluff and what they want to cover with no concern about a big story like this with a local connectio
there are and were many reasons why he wasn't charged with her murder at the time of her death. One is that the first re-sponders knew Rich Parker and relied on his statements as to why Kim had died. Two, he had Kim cremated before any real investigation could occur. Three, the ME's office was not alerted to the fact that domestic violence could have lead to her demise. Forth, the DA's office did not investigate the circumstances around Kim's death until years later, after Steph had got the media involved and the meeting we had with the local police chief.
There are many involved in this case and some bare some responsibility for the lack of justice for Kim. Some are covering their tracks. And a few are just plain negligent. How would you feel if your sister was found dead with no apparent reason why? Would you do everything you could to get justice for a loved one?
Is this for real? How old was Steph's sister? What was the cause of death, did she have a heart attack or something?
Most people would be too devastated to do anything but grieve. I give you and Steph and your family a lot of credit for waging this fight. DV victims don't want to speak about their ordeals, but if no one raises their voice, then no one knows what is going on. Every cause needs to have a face and a personal story. I am sorry your family has to fill that role on this issue locally, but I aplaud you all for doing it
she was 45 and the cause of death is STILL undetermined. She was a very healthy women, other than the injuries she suffered due to her abusive husband.
There is no choice in uncovering the truth about her death.
So do they expect to ever be able to determine her cause of death? Sounds pretty fishy to me
there is movement in this matter and outside experts are being consulted is all I can say now.
I hope you post the results of that "movement" whenever it happens and I hope it happens soon
amazing Article, Thanks for sharing!
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