Dogs Now Welcome at KC domestic violence shelter after dog saves woman from abuser

[lavenderviolet]

The Rose Brooks Center, a domestic violence shelter in Kansas City, Missouri, became the first shelter in the area to accept pets after receiving a desperate call from a woman whose boyfriend had attempted to beat her with a hammer, KCTV reported.

The woman told emergency hotline operators that she escaped death only because her Great Dane had jumped on top of her and absorbed most of the blows. Undeterred, the boyfriend threw both the woman and her dog out a second-story window, and the two were seriously injured.

She refused to accept a space at The Rose Brooks Center, however, when she learned that they didn’t accomodate pets.

“She was not going to leave her pet alone with [the boyfriend],” Susan Miller, the Rose Brook Center’s chief executive officer, told KCTV.

Miller explained that 40 percent of woman who call the shelter for accommodations turn down rooms because they don’t want to leave their pets, choosing instead to live in cars or stay in abusive situations.

Dog Shields Woman From Abusive Boyfriend

I hope that more shelters follow this lead. I can understand how it could be an additional barrier to a woman leaving an abuser if she has pets that she is worried about and can’t bring them with her.

[Snowboarder_Bo]

I never would have guessed the percentage of women refusing a place at the shelter for that particular reason was even close to that high.

Kudos to Rose Brooks Center for adapting to fit the needs of those they wish to serve.

[scratch_llll]

I guess it would be going too far to have the shelters teach the dogs to bite abusers in the crotch.

[chiroptera]

Wow, that’s awesome.

I volunteer at a DV shelter. I haven’t heard of anyone asking if they can bring their dog (or other pet) into the shelter or expressing worry that they can’t. But I’m going to ask the staff if they have a plan for women who are concerned about their pet.

[PapSett]

This is wonderful news! I hope many more shelters follow the lead.

[PunditLisa]

I’d have to be in a great deal of danger to abandon my beagle.

I’ve read accounts from depressed people that the one thing stopping them from a suicide attempt was the love they had for their pet.

Pets rock.

[Silver_Fire]

@PunditLisa

I’ve read accounts from depressed people that the one thing stopping them from a suicide attempt was the love they had for their pet.

Flip side, my uncle shot his dog first because he knew if he killed the dog he would never be able to live with himself. It worked. The dog was in the casket at the funeral, though I’m not sure if there were regulations or something that prevented them from being buried together.

[Moonlitherial]

In Ontario Safepet provides foster homes for DV victims. They keep the location of the pet and the identity of the owner a secret but the owners know the pet is safe and taken care of.

It’s run by the veterinary association and the first two weeks of care are provided by a vet who ensures that the animal is healthy and vaccines are up to date.

[PapSett]

@PunditLisa

I’d have to be in a great deal of danger to abandon my beagle.

I’ve read accounts from depressed people that the one thing stopping them from a suicide attempt was the love they had for their pet.

Pets rock.

Many, many time they are all that has kept me around. Pets truly DO rock!

[DiosaBellissima]

@Moonlitherial

In Ontario Safepet provides foster homes for DV victims. They keep the location of the pet and the identity of the owner a secret but the owners know the pet is safe and taken care of.

It’s run by the veterinary association and the first two weeks of care are provided by a vet who ensures that the animal is healthy and vaccines are up to date.

What a wonderful program :).

[Sailboat]

Fairfax County, Virginia has had a similar program for about 5 years now. My dog Simone (accompanied by yours truly) has marched in all 5 awareness-raising 5k K-9 Krawls.

link

(Link goes to an official county gov’t site, sadly one without any pictures of Simone or me)