Domestic abuse and the welfare of pets are closely linked in ways that are often overlooked. Although pets are valued members of many families, there is currently no specific legal provision that protects them in cases of domestic abuse. As awareness of this gap in the law has grown, campaigners have called for reform to better protect victim-survivors and their pets.
In abusive relationships, it is not uncommon for perpetrators to utilise pets as emotional leverage to coerce and control their partner. Perpetrators often recognise the strong emotional bond between a partner and their pet and exploit that relationship to manipulate, intimidate and control them. Ruby’s Law, a campaign founded by Christina Walker, aims to safeguard pets in abusive households by seeking to make amendments to the existing legislation.
The connection between domestic abuse and pets
The following statistics show a stark connection between domestic abuse and the mistreatment of pets in England and Wales.
- A 2021 study by Refuge4Pets, carried out in partnership with Dogs Trust found 90% of households experiencing domestic abuse also reported abuse towards their pets and in 12% of those households, a pet was killed.
- 94% of domestic abuse cases involve pets being used against them as a tool of coercion and control.
- 42% of survivors delay leaving their abuser due to concerns for their pet’s safety, with 37% saying this fear directly contributed to staying.
What would reform of the law look like?
Ruby’s Law aims to directly address the issue that family law is falling behind in protecting pets in cases of domestic abuse. This leaves a significant gap in the law as the current legislation does not expressly protect pets in the context of domestic abuse.
The absence of pets in the current legal framework reflects a wider gap in family law, where animals are often overlooked despite their significance in families. Ruby’s Law is calling for several important changes to the relevant family law legislation including:-
- Recognising threats to harm pets as a form of coercive and controlling behaviour under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
- Amending the statutory definition of coercive and controlling behaviour to include harm or threats towards pets.
- Extending Non-Molestation and Occupation Orders under the Family Law Act 1996 to enable courts to make orders protecting pets from harm or threats of harm.
- Recognising pets as part of the family household when considering protective orders.
- Introducing specific legal mechanisms to safeguard protect pets from abuse in domestic settings.
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