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Abused pets in New Jersey may soon have their own lawyer in court.
The state is pushing forward with more power to punish animal abusers by giving the pets an advocate in court hearings. The bill unanimously passed the state Senate earlier this year and is awaiting an Assembly vote.
The Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) will allow lawyers and third-year law students to volunteer as liaisons between the court and the abused animal as a cruelty case moves through the courts. That ensures the furry friends don’t get forgotten.
Connecticut and Maine are the only two states that have such laws on the books and stress that the animal is the victim.