Urgent legislation change demand as vile abusers exploit bonds with pets to entice victims
Pets should be recognised by law in domestic abuse orders, MPs say, as the Government prepares to publish its violence against women and girls strategy
Harrowing cases where threats and violence toward pets are used to trap domestic abuse victims show new laws are desperately needed, ministers have been told.
Campaigners warn beloved animals are used by abusers to stop women leaving as they demanded the law is tightened up. Cross-party MPs have called for pets to be recognised in domestic abuse orders.
It comes as the Government prepares to finally publish its long-awaited violence against women and girls (VAWG) strategy. Labour backbencher Ruth Jones, who has put forward a motion calling for tougher laws, told The Mirror: “If you’re an abused woman on your own, a pet is your lifeline. And you threaten to take that off them, the woman will stay and suffer all sorts.
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“They’re being told ‘if you leave today, there’s no telling what your dog will suffer. I’ll post his ears to you’, that sort of thing.
“Children are part of the orders, but pets are equally important too. If somebody hasn’t got any children say, then for some this dog is the only lifeline they got.
“We just want to make sure that the safety and welfare of pets in these abusive situations is taken account of in that sort of legal framework.”
In October a grim study by the National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) found thousands of cases where abusers used pets to control their victims. The charity’s analysis of over 64,000 witness statements found one in 15 contained an explicit mention of threats, harm or risk to pets. This is a barrier to leaving and a marker of heightened risk, it said.
Barrister Christina Warner has led a campaign for Ruby’s Law – named after her own cat – recognising the importance of pets. She told The Mirror: “Ruby’s Law was born out of the heartbreaking reality that victims are staying in dangerous situations because their abuser is threatening or harming their pet. Animals are family, and the law must reflect that. Protecting survivors means protecting the beings they love and rely on.”
And Ms Warner continued: “With the Government due to release its updated Violence Against Women and Girls strategy, this is exactly the moment to close the gap in protection. We now have overwhelming evidence showing the link between domestic abuse and animal harm.
“Ministers have a clear opportunity to ensure that pets are included in protection orders, strengthening safety and reducing the avenues for coercive control.”
She said that under current law, the Domestic Abuse Act does not explicitly consider pet abuse as a form of coercive control. There is no clear law for transferring ownership of a pet to an abuse survivor, while courts do not always prioritise pet welfare.
And many domestic abuse shelters do not accommodate animals – forcing survivors to choose between their safety and leaving their pet behind.
In the NCDV report, author Charlotte Woodward wrote: “For many victim-survivors, pets are a source of comfort, loyalty, and unconditional love. Perpetrators know this, and too often they exploit that bond.
“Threats or harm to animals become another weapon of coercion and a way to trap survivors in dangerous situations or to punish them for seeking freedom.
“Survivors should never have to choose between their safety and the safety of the animals they love.”
