Nebraska shelter helps pets in abusive homes

(AP) — An animal shelter is teaming up with a domestic violence service to help victims remove their pets from domestic abuse situations.

Nearly half of domestic abuse victims who remain in violent households do so out of fear for their animals, according to the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

Bright Horizons Executive Director Linda Olson says partnering with the animal shelter helps take down one more barrier that victims need to overcome when deciding to leave their abusive situations.