Senator Amanda McGill of Lincoln wants to revise state statute on protection orders to include some pets. Under LB 83, a judge can order a protection order of domestic animals in cases dealing with domestic violence.

According to McGill, the bill is intended to protect victims from abusers who use family pets as a means to control.

"That can make women more reluctant to leave, the thought of physical harm coming to the children or the pet," said McGill.

The Executive Director for the Capital Humane Society, Bob Downey says he has seen that exact situation play out numerous times. In fact the humane society houses animals for women who escape to the Friendship House.

"We have sheltered tarantula spiders for women seeking protection in domestic violence shelters because they were told by their batterer that if they leave their spider is history," said Downey.

Downey says right now even if the victim has a protective order against the abuser, there is nothing stopping the abuser from driving up and calling the pet over.

However Downey says this is not an animal rights bill.

"This is there to protect people, that is the life of a human being is more important than the life of a dog or a cat or any other animal as far as I'm concerned. however that animal will prevent that person from leaving because they care so much about it," he said.

A legislative hearing on the bill was held earlier this week. At the hearing there were concerns raised about the definition of "domestic animal". Some feared the bill would cover farm animals, which would disrupt the operation of the industry. However, Senator McGill says only family pets will be considered under this bill.