Ohio has an opportunity to take a critical step forward in protecting animals and communities by strengthening penalties for one of the most disturbing forms of abuse: bestiality.

Senate Bill 393 would increase the penalty for bestiality from a misdemeanor to a felony, recognizing the severity of these acts and ensuring stronger accountability for offenders.

For decades, the legal system has treated pets as property, no different than a couch or a car. But anyone who has loved an animal knows that couldn’t be further from the truth. Now, a new bill in Colorado is challenging that outdated framework, and it could signal a major shift in how the law views animals, families, and safety.

For survivors of domestic violence, leaving an unsafe situation is never simple. It’s not just about packing a bag and finding shelter. It’s about making impossible decisions. For some, that decision includes leaving behind a beloved animal.

We often talk about the bond between people and their pets—dogs, cats, and small companions—but what about those whose companions weigh over 1,000 pounds?

What happens when safety means figuring out how to protect a horse?

In Episode 8 of Season One: State v. Steffen Baldwin from the Animal Welfare Junction Podcast, listeners are confronted with a deeply troubling, but critically important, reality: Animal cruelty is often not an isolated act. It’s part of a larger pattern of interpersonal violence.

Hosted by Dr. Michelle Gonzalez (Dr. G), board member of Ohio Animal Advocates, this episode explores how Steffen Baldwin used dogs as tools of manipulation and control over vulnerable individuals. And sadly, this case is not unique.

Behind every statistic about domestic violence is a real person — someone who should still be here. In Ohio, those numbers are climbing, and the trend is deeply alarming.

New data shows that domestic violence–related fatalities across the state have nearly doubled over the past decade. In 2016, Ohio recorded 81 deaths connected to domestic violence. By 2025, that number had risen to 157 — a devastating increase that reflects both systemic failures and growing risks for survivors.

A devastating tragedy in Pennsylvania this September underscores a heartbreaking truth: domestic violence often endangers not only people but also the animals they love.

According to New York Times, five police officers were ambushed while responding to a domestic violence call in York County. Three officers—Sergeant Detective Cody Becker, Detective Isaiah Emenheiser, and Detective Mark Baker—were killed when the gunman, who had been stalking his ex-girlfriend, opened fire. Investigators later discovered that he had killed her dog before the shooting.

After years of advocacy, the nation is making progress toward reducing and eventually replacing animal testing in research labs — and Ohio Animal Advocates’ Executive Director, Vicki Deisner, was featured in a recent Spectrum News interview discussing this important federal development.

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.

When survivors of domestic violence or individuals experiencing homelessness are forced to flee unsafe or unstable conditions, they often face a heartbreaking choice: seek safety, or stay with their beloved pets. For many, that bond is too strong to break — and unfortunately, many shelters aren't equipped to house animals alongside people. But that’s changing, thanks to lifesaving initiatives like RedRover’s Safe Housing program.

In a tragic and deeply disturbing case out of Ashland County, Ohio, justice has been served following the sentencing of a woman who allowed a dog to maul her handcuffed six-year-old son.

In April 2025, the Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN) launched its inaugural Survivor Voices Council, a transformative initiative supported by a $200,000 grant from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund (OHTF). This funding underscores the critical role OHTF plays in supporting life-saving programs for Ohioans facing domestic violence and housing insecurity.

At Ohio Animal Advocates, we believe that protecting animals and protecting children go hand in hand. That’s why we are urging support for H.R. 712 – the Child and Animal Abuse Detection and Reporting Act—a bipartisan bill that seeks to improve how we track and respond to child abuse cases by including animal abuse as a critical data point.