Animal DNA has been used for years in crime scene investigation. For example, hairs located on a victim’s clothing might be a DNA match to a dog belonging to a suspect, aiding in an arrest and possible conviction.

Now, just in time for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, animal DNA is being used for the animals themselves—to help find and convict animal abusers.

Animal abusers were convicted in two separate cases last month, according to the City Room blog on the New York Times website. In one case, the DNA of a cat named Scruffy was harvested in 2008, when he was burned by teenagers in a Brooklyn apartment.

He was only treated when a superintendent for the building, who often fed Scruffy, found him injured. Although Scruffy didn’t survive, his DNA did. And thanks to that DNA sample, investigators were able to positively identify which apartment Scruffy was harmed in, and residents of the apartment building eventually confessed.

For animal lovers who care for their pets with quality food, care, and respect their fragile health with insurance for dogs and cats, the use of DNA to help convict animal abusers means two things. First and most important, that fewer animals may be harmed while, second, more abusers may be found and held accountable for their actions.

According to the City Room blog, there is even now a dog DNA database, which was started for dogs used in dog fighting. The animal loving community can thank science for a future that now looks brighter for pets.

Dr. Andrew Ward wishes more people would buy pet insurance for their pets, The Observer website reports.

According to the source, the vet feels that insuring pets allows their owners to provide tip top treatment.

“It is a great idea that gives financial backing to us as vets that an animal’s treatment isn’t limited,” Ward told the Observer.

“Quite often people can’t afford things such as tests or surgery.”

Ward told the news provider that he makes it a point to discuss the benefits of a pet care insurance plan with each of his clients—because too often, the only other option is euthanasia.

“Sometimes we have no choice but to euthanize an animal for financial reasons because their owners can’t afford treatment which wouldn’t happen if they had pet insurance,” Ward told the source.

Ward told the provider that when his clients opt to buy insurance for dogs and cats, there are more methods of treatment available.

“I really do hope it is a trend that will catch on.”

A bill that passed last week in state Assembly would require new disclosure measures for pet insurance companies.

Sacramento Democratic Assemblyman Dave Jones sponsored the pet health bill, AB 24111, that passed by a 43-16 vote, which specifies three specific things that pet insurance providers would have to disclose to new, amended or renewed insurance policy holders.

The bill would require that pet insurance companies divulge whether the “policy excludes coverage on the basis of a preexisting condition or other disorder, as specified, (2) any policy provisions that limits coverage in a specified manner, and (3) whether the insurer reduces coverage or increases premiums based on claims experience in any preceding policy period.”

The pet insurance bill will now move to the state’s Senate for consideration.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the bill was originally sought to ban pet insurance companies “from denying coverage to animals with preexisting condition(s), but that provision was removed from the bill.”

Some pet health Insurance companies, like Pets Best Insurance, suggest purchasing policies for pets while they are young, healthy, puppies and kittens, as this will help to ensure pet coverage is in effect before accidents or illnesses arise, and lessen the possibility of preexisting conditions altogether.

For more information on pet insurance visit Pets Best Insurance.