HARRISBURG, PA – Governor Josh Shapiro has signed into law Act 146 of 2024, a bipartisan measure that amends the state’s Protection from Abuse Act to safeguard pets threatened in domestic violence situations. Championed by State Representative Christina Sappey, D-Chester, and State Representative Natalie Mihalek, R-Allegheny/Washington, the legislation provides judges with explicit authority to order defendants in protection from abuse (PFA) cases to refrain from harming, abusing, or possessing the petitioner’s companion animals.