Labour MP Ruth Jones is set to introduce new legislation today calling for stronger domestic abuse laws to protect pets. The proposed law, known as Ruby's Law, would give courts greater power to recognise pet abuse as a form of coercive control.
Ms Jones, MP for Newport West and Islwyn, said the current system fails to acknowledge the bond between victims and their pets, often leaving women trapped in abusive relationships. 'At the moment pets are not even recognised. So if the perpetrator is using a pet as a form of coercive control, that's not recognised in the family law courts,' she told The Mirror.
The Bill would extend non-molestation orders to cover pets and allow courts to decide who retains care of an animal. Ms Jones emphasised that judges are sympathetic but lack the legal tools to act. Ruby's Law was devised by lawyer Christina Warner, who named it after her cat. She described pet abuse as a 'widespread, insidious part of domestic abuse'.
The push for reform comes after a study by the National Centre for Domestic Violence found that one in 15 witness statements from over 64,000 cases contained explicit mentions of threats or harm to pets. Baroness Hayman, the Government's animal welfare chief, has said Defra is exploring ways to break the link between pet abuse and domestic violence.
