Animals are treated as "property" under most laws. Not as children. The Family Code does not refer to animal custody although most pet owners disagree in principle, and many carve out time sharing arrangements for animals when families disintegrate. A welcome addition to the Family Code is the protection of animals under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. ■
The burden of proof is a preponderance of the evidence. "Harassment", on the other hand, is conduct that occurs where no affinity or dating relationship is evident, and the basis for the application is Civil Code of Procedure (CCP) 527.6, the "stalking law." The burden of proof in these cases is higher, and "clear and convincing" evidence is required to obtain an order. ■
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