Colorado’s newest law, signed Monday afternoon at the Capitol by Gov. Bill Ritter, looks to protect at-risk pets and their owners from domestic violence, KDVR reports.

Sponsored by Sen. Linda Newell, D-Littleton, and Rep. Jerry Frangas, D- Denver, Senate Bill 80 allows a victim’s pets to be protected under a restraining order.

Newell told a story about an abuse victim who left her dog at home when seeking shelter from an abusive partner. The partner sent her an audio recording of him abusing the dog, which caused her to leave the shelter.