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Bill

HB 2707

Modifying the definition of abuse in the protection from abuse act to include certain acts or threats related to pets and specifying that courts may include orders relating to pets in protection from abuse act orders.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Alcala and 31 co-sponsors

Kansas bill expands abuse protections to include pet-related threats and abuse, allowing courts to issue pet protection orders in domestic abuse cases.

Died in Committee
#civilprocedureandcivilactions
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Bill Summary · HB 2707

Legislative bill overview

HB 2707 expands Kansas's Protection from Abuse Act to explicitly include pet-related abuse and threats as forms of abuse. The bill also authorizes courts to issue orders protecting pets as part of protection from abuse proceedings, similar to orders protecting human victims.

Why is this important

Domestic abuse perpetrators frequently use pets as tools of control—threatening, harming, or killing animals to intimidate victims and prevent them from leaving dangerous situations. Research shows pet abuse often co-occurs with intimate partner violence. By explicitly addressing this tactic, the bill could help abuse victims obtain comprehensive legal protection and keep animals safe during separation from abusers.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional scope: Disagreement over what constitutes pet-related abuse (e.g., whether neglect, financial control of veterinary care, or threats alone qualify) and how broadly courts should interpret the provision
  • Enforcement challenges: Questions about how courts will enforce pet protection orders and whether law enforcement has adequate training and resources to handle pet-related violations
  • Property law intersection: Tension between treating pets as protected dependents versus property under existing law, potentially creating legal inconsistencies in custody and ownership disputes

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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