Written Question·Ministry of Justice·UIN 18261
Domestic Abuse: Animal Welfare
Tabled: 13 July 2026
Answered: 20 July 2026
Question
Alex Mayer
Labour — Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard
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
Catherine AtkinsonThe 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...
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