The Impact of Domestic Violence on Pets

In this special edition podcast, Dr. Cassi speaks with Dr. Melinda Merck, an expert in veterinary forensics, about the impact of domestic violence on pets, common characteristics visible in pets living in abusive environments, and how animal forensics play into criminal investigations. Dr. Cassi also chats with Nicole Forsyth, President and CEO of RedRover, an organization that supports domestic violence shelters who accept families and their pets. She’ll discuss the reasons why it’s so important for shelters to accept family pets. But first we’ll hear from Kentucky State Representative Ryan Dotson about legislation he introduced in Kentucky that was just signed into law by the governor that helps prevent domestic violence involving pets by including abuse of pets in domestic violence criminal laws.