Make it illegal for domestic abusers to own pets
Caring for an animal is a privilege, not a right.
Abuse is abuse—whether it’s inflicted on a person or a pet. It is a deliberate tactic of control, used to terrorize and silence survivors, and sadly the propensity to abuse others is also reflected in a propensity to mistreat animals.
Too often, domestic violence is a red flag for animal cruelty, and vice versa. While many survivors are able to escape an abusive situation and gain legal protections, there is nothing stopping an abuser from owning a pet and these animals sadly have no voice if they become the next victim.
It’s time that we end this legal loophole and ensure that the ability to own a pet is not a right, but a privilege that can be taken away.
Sign the petition to make sure animals are protected
Petition to UK Parliament & Local Authorities
Subject: Recognize Animal Abuse as Domestic Violence and Ban Abusers from Animal Ownership
Read the full petition letter
To Whom It May Concern,
We, the undersigned, urge immediate legislative and policy reform to address the clear and dangerous link between animal abuse and domestic violence, thereby protecting some of the most vulnerable in our society—survivors of domestic abuse and their companion animals.
In homes where domestic abuse occurs, pets are not just witnesses—they are victims too. Abusers frequently target animals to exert control, instill fear, and emotionally torment survivors. This form of coercive abuse is every bit as traumatic and calculated as physical or emotional violence inflicted on people.
Despite growing research, UK law does not currently recognize animal cruelty as a component of domestic abuse. Nor are convicted abusers routinely prohibited from owning or accessing animals after legal proceedings.
We call for urgent change. Specifically, we are asking for:
- A lifetime ban on individuals convicted of domestic abuse from owning animals
- Officially recognise animal abuse as a form of domestic violence and coercive control under UK law
- A formal pledge to include animal cruelty in police risk assessments and domestic abuse casework
- A commitment to train police, social workers, and courts to recognize the use of pet harm as coercive control and to understand its effects.
- The establishment of cross-agency reporting protocols domestic abuse services and animal charities.
This is not about prioritizing animals over people—it’s about protecting both. Survivors should never have to watch their abuser torment a pet to keep them silent. Please take leadership in closing this cruel gap in the law. The safety of countless women, children, and animals depends on it.
Sincerely,
On behalf of the supporters of Her Safe Network
Why it matters:
- Abusers often hurt or kill pets to punish, threaten, or manipulate their partners. It’s a tool of power and control, rooted in the same dynamics as other forms of abuse.
- In the UK, animal abuse isn’t formally acknowledged as a domestic violence tactic in legislation—leaving it out of safety
planning, risk assessments, and protective services. - Survivors and animals alike remain in danger when known abusers retain access to pets. We need laws that ban
convicted domestic abusers from owning animals. - Studies show that violence against animals often precedes violence against people. Recognizing this link could allow authorities to intervene sooner—before it escalates.
What we are asking for:
- A lifetime ban on individuals convicted of domestic abuse from owning animals
- Officially recognise animal abuse as a form of domestic violence and coercive control under UK law
- A formal pledge to include animal cruelty in police risk assessments and domestic abuse casework
- A commitment to train police, social workers, and courts to recognize the use of pet harm as coercive control and to understand its effects.
- The establishment of cross-agency reporting protocols domestic abuse services and animal charities.
Case Study: Jess & Tilly – “He Knew Hurting Her Would Hurt Me”
Jess knew things were getting worse, but she didn’t know just how dangerous her partner could be—until the day he locked their kitten, Tilly, in a fridge overnight as a punishment for her going out. “He wanted to prove a point,” Jess says quietly. “That I couldn’t leave. That he would always have something I cared about more than myself.”
For months, Jess lived in fear—not just for her own safety, but for Tilly’s. The threats were constant: “If you talk to anyone, I’ll hurt her.” She stopped reaching out. She stopped trying to leave. The price was too high. Jess eventually managed to escape, but her trauma didn’t end there. Her ex wasn’t banned from owning animals. Months later, he got another cat trying to convince her to return by sending her pictures—and the cycle began again.
“It keeps me up at night,” Jess admits. “Knowing he’s out there, doing it again. Not just to a pet, but maybe to another woman, too.” Jess is now fighting to change the law, so no one else has to live in that fear.
Her Safe Network- Who We Are
Her Safe Network is a grassroots charity dedicated to helping vulnerable women, men and even pets. We provide emergency support, advocacy, and safe pathways forward.