Ruby's Law - Protection for pets in family law

                                         

      The Campaign

This campaign is led by Christina Warner, a barrister from 33 Bedford Row.

We have an interest in the campaign, not only personally as we have rescued dogs from Crete but also utilise family protection dogs for high risk victims of domestic abuse and stalking.

The wording below is from Christina's website and provides important information which is often overlooked when police officer's and family courts are dealing with cases of domestic abuse.

Ruby’s Law seeks to address the often-overlooked role of pets in the cycle of domestic abuse and provide survivors with the confidence to seek safety without fearing for their animals.

As it currently stands, gaps in family law in England and Wales mean that abusers can cause harm to family pets, perpetrators can use pets to coerce and control their victims, and prevent victims from leaving abusive environments.

In situations of domestic abuse, pets can be both an indicator of the abuse in the household, and victims themselves. 90% of households  experiencing domestic abuse in England and Wales reported that animals were also abused by perpetrators.In 12% of these households, the pet was killed.

Aims of the campaign are to:

Expand Non-Molestation Orders

(under Section 42 of the Family Law Act, 1996) to explicitly allow non-molestation orders to cover pets.

Expand Occupation Orders

(under sections 33–38 of the Family Law Act, 1996) to include provisions for the court to decide who retains care of the pet and ensure the pet’s safety when determining occupation orders.

Broaden the understanding

of domestic abuse by introducing language which recognises that harm to pets can be used as a form of coercion or control, linking this to the broader understanding of domestic abuse under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION