Opened the debate
Ruth Jones argues that pets should receive legal protection in domestic abuse cases, as 51% of UK adults own pets and pets are often used as tools of coercion and control. The Dogs Trust found that 97% of domestic abuse professionals have dealt with cases where pets are harmed. Ruby’s law aims to incorporate pets into non-molestation and occupation orders, amend definitions of controlling or coercive behaviour to include pet-related abuse, and extend Domestic Abuse Protection Orders to pets. The Bill would also allow veterinary records and digital evidence of pet harm to be admissible in court, and require offenders to attend intervention programmes addressing the link between animal cruelty and domestic violence.