Are Pets "Family Members"?

Apparently for some people in Florida.  I would love to know the circumstances that triggered some constituent to get a state senator to include "threats against pets" as a basis for guaranteed leave under Florida law.
The Florida statute in question provides up to three days of unpaid leave for victims of domestic violence, as defined by the statute. If this amendment goes forward, a threat of violence against a pet would be considered a protected reason to leave a job, and one more reason that employers will have to learn more than they wish to know about the private lives of their employees.