Ruby's Law: Protecting Pets

Part of: Pet Custody During Separation – Who keeps the Family Pet?

Ruby’s law is a campaign in England and Wales-not yet an enacted statute-seeking to protect pets within domestic abuse cases by amending existing family law.

Key Takeaways

• The campaign focuses on closing gaps in the Family Law Act 1996 and the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 so pets can be included in protective court orders such as non molestation orders and occupation orders.
• Abusers exploit the bond between victims and their beloved animals, using pet harm and threats as a form of coercive control that causes severe emotional trauma and can prevent victims from leaving.
• Ruby’s Law was founded by family law barrister Christina Warner to recognise companion animals as more than property in domestic abuse situations.
• If you are experiencing domestic abuse, seek urgent safety support first, then speak to a family law specialist about protective options for yourself and your animals.

What Is Ruby’s Law?

Ruby’s law is a legal reform campaign in England and Wales aimed at protecting pets from harm in domestic abuse situations. It is not yet enacted legislation but a movement to amend current family law so that family pets can be covered in domestic abuse court orders. Domestic abuse can involve physical violence, coercive control, emotional abuse, economic abuse, and threats or harm directed at animals. Many survivors treat pets as integral family members, yet the legal system currently treats them mainly as property-creating a dangerous gap that leaves both human and animal victims exposed.

This article explores how abuse affects pets, where current law falls short, what ruby’s law seeks to change, and how you can support the campaign or seek legal assistance.

Who Is Behind Ruby’s Law? Christina Warner And Ruby

Ruby’s Law was launched by Christina Warner, a family law barrister specialising in family law and human rights in England and Wales. The campaign was launched by barrister Christina Warner in 2025, driven by her own experiences and years of helping vulnerable people facing domestic abuse-work that repeatedly showed her how companion animals are also victims. The campaign is named after Ruby, Christina’s own cat, who became a symbol of the many beloved pets living through abuse within households experiencing domestic abuse.

Warner and supporters argue that protecting pets strengthens existing domestic abuse protections rather than distracting from human victims. The campaign has gathered support from survivors, animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA and Dogs Trust, and domestic abuse professionals across England and Wales.

The Hidden Link Between Domestic Abuse And Animal Abuse

Research shows that domestic abuse and animal abuse are closely connected in many households. Pets are often used as tools of coercion in domestic abuse, with 71% of domestic violence victims reporting pet abuse by abusers. A staggering 97% of domestic abuse professionals have encountered cases of pet harm by abusers, confirming how widespread this issue is.

How Abusers Use Pets As Tools of Coercive Control

Under the Domestic Abuse act 2021, coercive control describes patterns of controlling, degrading and isolating behaviour. Abusers exploit this by threatening to kill a dog or cat, refusing veterinary care, restricting food, using GPS trackers on collars to monitor victims, or forcing survivors to witness harm to animals. Domestic abuse professionals frequently report that pets are used as leverage to keep victims silent or compliant. This conduct causes deep emotional trauma and should be legally recognised as a serious form of coercive control-harm to pets is a form of coercive control used by abusers.

Why Victims Delay Leaving Abusive Homes

Fear for a pet’s safety is a major reason many survivors stay with or return to an abusive partner. Research indicates that 56% of women delay leaving abusive partners to protect pets. Refuges and safe houses rarely accept animals, so victims must choose between personal safety or leaving their pet with the abuser. Only 15% of domestic violence shelters in the US allow pets, and similar challenges exist in England and Wales.

Many victims worry that reporting domestic abuse will prompt retaliation against animals left behind. The lack of routine pet protection in non molestation and occupation orders under the Family Law Act 1996 increases this risk. Ruby’s law seeks to remove this barrier so people can leave abusive homes without sacrificing their pets safety.

Emotional Trauma Caused by Abuse of Pets

Violence against pets causes severe emotional trauma-not only for the animal but for adults and children in the abusive home. Pets often provide crucial emotional support for survivors, especially when isolated from friends and family by abusers. Ruby’s Law acknowledges the emotional bond between humans and pets. Witnessing pet abuse can cause PTSD in children, contributing to anxiety, depression and long-term trust difficulties. Recognising the emotional trauma caused by pet abuse strengthens the argument for including animals in domestic abuse legal protections.

The Current Law In England & Wales: Where Pets Stand

Current legislation in England and Wales deals with domestic abuse and animals separately, creating significant gaps in real-life domestic abuse cases.

Family Law Act 1996: Non-Molestation and Occupation Orders

The Family Law Act 1996 governs non molestation orders and occupation orders. Non molestation orders protect people from threats, harassment or violence from a partner or family member. Occupation orders regulate who can live in the family home. Under current practice, these orders focus on people-pets are not included in non-molestation orders currently. The Family Law Act 1996 treats pets as personal property, meaning a victim can have legal protection but their dog or cat can legally remain with the abuser.

Domestic Abuse Act 2021: Recognising Coercive Control but Not Pets

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 is key legislation defining domestic abuse and coercive control in England and Wales. It recognises patterns of emotional, psychological and economic abuse. However, the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 does not explicitly mention the protection of pets-the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 does not protect pets. This lack of explicit reference leads to inconsistent responses when pets are used to control or frighten victims of domestic abuse.

Animal Welfare Act 2006 And Sentencing For Animal Abuse

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes it a criminal offence to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal, but does not link animal cruelty to the wider domestic abuse context. While animal cruelty can be considered an aggravating factor in court sentencing, harming a pet to control a partner may not always be treated as seriously as hurting the partner directly. Ruby’s Law would complement the Animal Welfare Act by embedding explicit protection of pets into family law and domestic abuse procedures.

What Ruby’s Law Campaigns For

Ruby’s law aims to reform family law and domestic abuse legislation so pets are actively protected in domestic abuse cases. Ruby’s Law aims to amend the Family Law Act 1996 and the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 around three goals:

1. Legal recognition of pets as affected family members who deserve protection
2. Inclusion of pets in protective court orders
3. Clearer responsibilities for courts and agencies

Including Pets In Non-Molestation Orders

Ruby’s Law proposes including pets in non-molestation orders by amending how they are drafted. Under the campaign’s vision, a judge could list a pet by name as part of the order, making it a breach if the abuser harms or threatens that animal. This would give police clearer powers to intervene where an abuser uses a pet to intimidate a victim, reinforcing that animal abuse is part of domestic abuse.

Extending Occupation Orders To Cover Pets And Their Care

Occupation orders currently say little about family pets. Ruby’s law aims to grant courts explicit powers to decide who a pet should live with. Orders could state that a pet stays with the protected person or moves with them to safe accommodation. Allowing victims to take their pets would eliminate barriers to escaping domestic violence. Courts could consider the welfare of the animal, the bond with children and survivors, and the risk of further abuse.

Recognising Pet Abuse Explicitly As Coercive Control

Ruby’s Law supports clearer legal recognition that harming or threatening pets is a form of coercive control. Legislative amendments should explicitly acknowledge pets as acknowledge pets within definitions of controlling behaviour. This would help police, prosecutors and judges identify pet-related abuse as evidence of domestic abuse and validate the experiences of many survivors who describe pets as central to their reason for staying or leaving abusive relationships.

Why Reform Matters: Ruby’s Law Protecting Whole Families

Ruby’s law aims to protect entire households-adults, children and animals-recognising how closely their safety is linked. Vulnerable households should not choose between their safety and their pets’ safety. Pets provide unconditional love and emotional stability, particularly for those escaping abuse.

Impact On Survivors, Children And Pets

Giving pets legal protection makes it emotionally and practically easier for survivors leaving abusive environments. Children form strong attachments to beloved pets, and protecting animals supports their emotional recovery. Recognising companion animals as animal victims helps professionals tailor safety plans for the whole family.

Learning From Other Jurisdictions

Other jurisdictions already integrate pets into domestic abuse protection:

• Scotland recognises threats to animals as part of coercive control under domestic abuse law
• The united states passed the PAWS Act, funding pet-friendly domestic violence shelters and allowing pets in restraining orders-though only 15% of domestic violence shelters in the US currently allow pets
• In Canada, particularly British Columbia, pets can be included within protection orders relating to intimate partner violence

Ruby’s Law aims to ensure England and Wales keep pace with these developments.

How People Can Support Ruby’s Law And Find Help

Anyone in immediate danger should call emergency services before considering any other steps. Many victims of domestic abuse can speak to domestic abuse charities, pet fostering schemes and family law specialists to create a safety plan that includes their animals.

Supporting the Campaign for Legal Change

• Sign the petition to support Ruby’s Law at rubyslaw.co.uk
• Write to your MP using a template from rubyslaw.co.uk asking them to support changes to both the Family Law Act and Domestic Abuse Act
• Follow Ruby’s Law on social media for updates
• Share survivor stories (with consent) to raise awareness for Ruby’s Law
• Donate to organisations creating pet-friendly refuge spaces
• Professionals in family law, veterinary practice and domestic abuse services should incorporate pet-related questions into risk assessments

Getting Legal Assistance And Safety Support Ruby’s Law

Anyone experiencing domestic abuse, including abuse involving pets, can seek confidential advice from domestic abuse helplines. Speak to a family law specialist about options such as non molestation orders, occupation orders and child arrangements. Discuss how to document threats or harm to pets-photographs, vet reports and messages can support evidence in court. Safe pet fostering schemes and animal welfare charities may temporarily care for animals while survivors secure accommodation. Never confront an abuser about legal steps without a safety plan in place.

At Kabir Family Law we provide a Free Initial Telephone Consultation. Contact us on 0330 094 5880 to arrange your free, no‑obligation consultation or book a time that suits you using our online appointment system. Our family lawyers in Coventry as well across Nottingham, Newcastle, Cardiff, Oxford, Manchester, Northampton, York & London can advise you on how to navigate your family law matter.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ruby’s Law

Is Ruby’s Law already in force in England and Wales?

No. Ruby’s Law is currently a campaign and not yet enacted legislation. Existing domestic abuse cases must rely on the Family Law Act 1996, Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and Animal Welfare Act 2006. However, courts and police can already consider harm to pets as evidence of domestic abuse where it forms part of controlling behaviour. Speak to a family law specialist for up-to-date advice, as practice around pets in dangerous situations continues to develop.

Can I take my pet with me if I leave an abusive partner?

In many abusive situations, victims do take their pets when leaving, but practical barriers like housing rules or refuge policies can make this difficult. Plan ahead where possible by speaking to domestic abuse services and pet fostering schemes that offer emergency care. Legal ownership and any risk of confrontation should be discussed with a family law specialist as part of a safety plan.

Will a court take pet abuse into account in my domestic abuse case?

While the law does not yet treat pets as separate victims in family proceedings, evidence of threats or harm to animals can be highly relevant. Such evidence may help show a pattern of coercive control or risk to children and may influence decisions on protective orders. Keep any safe, lawful records of incidents-photographs, vet reports or messages-and discuss these with a family law specialist.

What should I do if my partner has hurt our pet but I am scared to report it?

It is common to feel frightened about reporting animal abuse in abusive households. Contact a confidential domestic abuse helpline to talk through options and create a safety plan before reporting formally. Depending on circumstances, you may involve both the police and animal welfare agencies, but this should be done with professional guidance to reduce risks. Always prioritise your own and your children’s immediate safety.

How might Ruby’s Law change things for future domestic abuse cases?

If Ruby’s Law’s proposals are adopted, survivors could expect clearer legal routes to explicitly protect pets in non molestation and occupation orders. This would make it easier for victims to leave without leaving beloved animals at risk, and could improve how police and courts assess risk. Conviction rates in domestic abuse cases involving animal cruelty could also strengthen. Timelines depend on parliamentary processes, but public support increases the chances of meaningful reform.