Take Action to Protect Foster Children from Caretakers with Animal Cruelty Records
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to shed light on the many forms of abuse that often go unseen. One such connection gaining long-overdue attention is the link between animal abuse and family violence.Currently, there are no regulations in Ohio preventing people with a criminal record of animal abuse, cruelty, or neglect from adopting or becoming foster parents. Ohio Senator Al Cutrona recently introduced a bill aimed to increase protections for foster children.
"Cruelty of any kind towards animals should give the government pause of the types of people deemed responsible to foster a child. Addressing these concerns of harm towards animals provides increased awareness of animal cruelty across the Valley and Eastern Ohio," Ohio Senator Cutrona said in an interview with 22-WFMJ.
Ohio Senate Bill 265 would prevent anyone convicted of animal cruelty, harm to companion animals, animal fighting, dogfighting or sexual conduct with an animal from becoming a foster parent or caregiver. criminal records check for prospective foster caregivers, prospective adoptive parents, and certain other individuals who will be responsible for or reside in the same household as children.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
There is a proven link between animal abuse and child abuse. Animals are often used by the abuser to punish or manipulate, as well as to take revenge against, the victim. Where there is animal abuse, child abuse can follow.
According to the Animal Welfare Institute, “...an article published in the FBI’s Law Enforcement Bulletin entitled ‘The Link Between Animal Cruelty and Human Violence’ acknowledges animal cruelty as a form of domestic violence and makes clear the connection between animal abuse in the home and family abuse, and the likelihood of ongoing negative effects.”
Ohio Animal Advocates applauds Ohio Senator Cutrona for his steadfast commitment to animal welfare. Join OAA in helping Senator Cutrona pass S.B. 265 by using OAA's action alert to contact your senator and ask them to support S.B. 265 (link). While you are on OAA's state action alert page, check out Senator Cutrona's other recent bills, banning cat declawing (S.B. 252), and increasing penalties for animal cruelty (S.B. 64).
Take Action
Join OAA in supporting S.B. 265 by using our Action Alert to add animal offenses as a disqualifier to foster & adopt. Use the letter template to contact your state senator and urge them to vote in favor of this critical legislation.
While you’re on OAA’s Action Alerts page, you can also explore Senator Cutrona’s other important animal welfare bills:
S.B. 252: Ban on cat declawing
S.B. 64: Increased penalties for animal cruelty
Together, we can help Ohio take meaningful steps toward breaking the cycle of violence—protecting vulnerable children, families, and animals alike.
