A new bill making headway in California aims to close a troubling loophole by offering stronger legal protections for pets who are targeted in stalking cases. For years, the law has centered mainly on threats against people, but this measure acknowledges a painful reality: abusers often target animals to control, punish, or terrify their victims.
Senate Bill 221, introduced by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, adds pets, service animals, and horses to the state’s stalking law. The Senate has already passed the bill with unanimous support. It now moves to the Assembly for the next round of review.
Instagram | socialcompassion | The bill, SB 221, was introduced by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh.
Under existing California law, stalking covers threats that put someone or their immediate family in fear. However, threats aimed at animals haven’t been explicitly covered. This legislation would amend Penal Code Section 646.9 to close that loophole, treating credible threats against pets with the same seriousness as threats against humans.
Stalking affects millions across the U.S. every year. One in three women and one in six men report being victims, according to national surveys. In many of those cases, stalkers threaten more than just the victims. They often go after friends, family members, or pets.
The National Crime Victimization Survey shows this clearly. About 40% of stalkers target animals or people close to the victim. Over 87,000 stalking cases have involved threats to pets.
Victims say threats against their pets create deep fear and emotional damage. Abusers use animals to gain power and silence victims. These threats often work because many victims feel helpless to protect their pets.
Senator Ochoa Bogh pointed out that threatening animals is a form of psychological abuse. She said this kind of behavior should carry real legal consequences.
If the Assembly passes SB 221, the courts will have more power to act. Those convicted under the new law could face up to a year in jail or a $1,000 fine. Serious or repeat cases might result in longer prison terms.
Instagram | senochoabogh | Psychological abuse via animal threats should be legally punishable, says Senator Ochoa Bogh.
The bill also recognizes how deeply connected people feel to their pets. For many, animals are more than companions. They’re a source of emotional support and even medical assistance, especially in the case of service animals.
California could set a new standard by giving pets legal protection in stalking cases. The bill shows that lawmakers understand how threats extend beyond people. Pets are often at the center of the emotional harm caused by stalking.
The proposed change would protect not just the animals but also the mental and emotional safety of their owners. It would also make it easier for prosecutors to hold abusers accountable.
As the bill moves closer to becoming law, it brings hope to many who have long felt that the system ignored threats to their pets. It reflects a growing awareness of how abusers operate and how deeply those actions affect victims.
This legislation could help many people feel safer. By taking threats to pets seriously, California may inspire other states to strengthen their own laws.