A new bill in New Jersey would take crucial steps to protect formerly abused pets. Often forgotten during the long legal process, this new bill would give victims of animal abuse formal legal advocates! These informal "lawyers" would be responsible for keeping the court up to date on the living conditions of the animal, as well as its health and well-being. So many victims of animal abuse end up suffering alone in shelters, and they deserve better.
Sign now to demand that New Jersey legislators pass this vital bill and fully protect abused pets!
The law has widespread support among the public because it's simply common sense. Not only would it provide vital legal protection to our furry friends and stop them from falling through the cracks, it also would do so at no cost to the court or local governments. What person in the Garden State wouldn't want that?
Similar pieces of legislation have been passed in Connecticut and Maine. These are currently the only two states in the country with laws like this one, and both programs have been very successful! Since the program is based on lawyers and upper-level law students being able to volunteer as liaisons, it does not require any taxpayer funding. It is easy for abused animals to get forgotten as they move through the legal system and energy around a case loses steam. Having volunteer liaisons ensures the pets will receive full protection of the law and abusers will be held accountable.
The bill has passed unanimously in the Senate and is now awaiting an Assembly vote. We must put pressure on the New Jersey legislature to pass this vital protection for abused animals into law! Sign the petition if you agree!
