You may have heard the term court appointed special advocate (CASA) used to describe child welfare volunteers who represent the interests of abused and neglected children.

The New Jersey State Senate passed a bill that will do the same for abused and neglected animals.

The Courtroom Animal Advocate Program (CAAP) bill–S.2868/A.4533—will allow law students and volunteer lawyers to advocate for animal victims in cruelty criminal cases.

The bill passed the Senate unanimously and is now headed to the House for approval.

According to the bill’s co-sponsors, State Senator Nicholas Scutari and Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, animals need a victim’s advocacy program as much as humans do.

“The unfortunate reality is that too many animal abusers go unpunished for their appalling and inhumane crimes simply because the victims lack an advocate,” says Mukherji.

CAAP would provide for an advocate in criminal cases concerning the welfare or care of an animal.

This is important not only because it would support the animal victims of maltreatment and ensure that animal abusers face justice, but also because animal abuse is often linked to such crimes as domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse.

You can read more about the bill on the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s website HERE.