Wild Storm, what you do have grounds for at the moment is a DVO, which is the most important thing to focus on at the moment. It may be that this person (I use the term loosely) never sees the pointy end of the legal stick for what he did to the animals. However, as long as you and your daughter are safe, that's what is important. Start by writing down as much as you can remember of the relationship and his violent behaviours. Be sure to include anytime your daughter was included, whether she was the focus of a threat, a violent act or simply an observer of his abuse of you. As hard as it is, be as impersonal as you can be when writing to begin with, don't include your feelings, what you think he may have thought or felt or meant. Just stick to bare facts. Include as many dates, details and witnesses as you can. You can include the threats about the animals, and the fact that they died in mysterious circumstances. You take that to Legal Aid, and they'll help you get the order set up, or at least tell you who to talk to.