Domestic Abuse: Animal Welfare
2026-07-12 · Ministry of Justice · 18261 · Official question
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of strengthening guidance for courts and probation services on the link between animal cruelty and domestic abuse.
Answer
The Government recognises the link between animal cruelty and domestic abuse. Statutory guidance issued under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 is clear that harming, threatening to harm, or using pets to control, coerce or intimidate a victim can constitute do...