In seriousness, I don't know how I feel about courts getting involved in "pet custody" at all. Whoever owned the pets prior to the relationship should keep them. If they were aquired together then who ever took primary care of them should keep them. Honestly, I don't think there should be visitations rights and such at all. Yes, it's sad but these are animals and not people and we shouldn't waste our tax dollars on such cases.

To answer the question posed in the story.. Do I think animals should be protected in protective orders? No. If the woman has possession of the dog and *she* has the dog I don't see what the issue is.

After all the first signs of someone being abusive when they get older is that when they're a child they get enjoyment out of hurting animals.