Pets are often pulled into patterns of domestic abuse and coercive control, which should be viewed as a clear indicator of risk to the animal and the humans in that household. Our new analysis of 64,046 witness statements shows 6.51% include explicit threats, harm, or risk to animals, a conservative lower-bound captured in legal documents. Recognising pet-related abuse can remove barriers to safety and improve safeguarding for adults and children. NCDV is integrating this learning into our training and practice.
What “the link” means
Domestic abuse is not only about what happens to people. Perpetrators may threaten or harm family pets to intimidate, punish, or trap victim-survivors in unsafe situations. Pets are part of family life; exploiting that bond is a powerful coercive-control tactic that can delay leaving or force a return.
Common patterns include:
- Threats (“If you’re late home, I’ll beat the dog.”)
- Actual harm (injury or killing of pets)
- Neglect as leverage (withholding food, vet care, or access)
- Barriers to safety (refuges or temporary housing that can’t accept pets)
Frontline professionals and survivor-facing surveys have flagged high levels of pet-related abuse for years. Our goal with this report was to contribute large-scale evidence from a different angle: what is explicitly recorded in legal witness statements when people seek protection orders.
What our data shows
NCDV reviewed 64,046 anonymised witness statements supporting applications for Non-Molestation Orders (England & Wales; seven-year span; adults 18+). Using a structured keyword approach, we identified 4,167 statements that contained explicit mentions of cruelty, threats, or risk to pets – 6.51% of the total.
Why this matters
In legal paperwork, survivors often focus on what’s needed to meet the threshold for an order. Pet issues can be under-recorded even when present.
- That means 6.51% should be read as a conservative lower-bound, not a sector-wide prevalence rate.
- Survivor surveys typically report higher figures, which complement our findings: different methods capture different parts of the picture.
Why pets belong in safeguarding conversations
Pet-related abuse is rarely “just about the pet.” It often indicates escalation and broader coercive control and can coincide with risk to adults and children. Including pets in risk assessment and safety planning can:
- Surface otherwise hidden coercive patterns
- Reduce practical barriers to leaving (e.g., pet-inclusive accommodation, fostering/boarding pathways)
- Strengthen multi-agency safeguarding (MARAC, child protection) by ensuring pets are considered in the overall risk picture.
What the sector can do (collaboratively)
This is a shared challenge. No single service can solve it alone. After discussions with those who are leading the way in this area, the report presents potential ways we can all improve our awareness and responses across all organisations. These are set out in the report, and we urge everyone to consider and cross-reference against their own internal practices.
How NCDV will embed this
We’re moving from data to delivery:
Training: We will engage with veterinary teams and practice staff to make them aware of civil injunctions and how a referral to NCDV can help those who are not ready to engage with anyone else. We will reinforce the importance of “The Link” and where they can go for specialist training to further their knowledge. Additionally, we will integrate pet-related risk into our popular core training sessions for police and other professionals. Last year, we trained 15,000 professionals, employers and police. Lastly and most importantly, we will ensure our frontline teams are fully briefed on this issue and can respond to the public meaningfully.
Resources & awareness: We will develop a resource on our website with practical information and guidance for survivors and practitioners.
Collaboration: We will collaborate with animal-welfare partners to amplify messaging and foster options, to stay abreast of developments, and assist with future data sets.
Practice & policy: We support Ruby’s Law, the campaign to include pets within the scope of Non-Molestation Orders, and will continue advocating for protection that recognises pets as part of the family unit in all domestic abuse injunctions, including the new Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO).
Getting help
If you’re concerned about your safety, you can contact NCDV for free, fast help with civil protection orders. In an emergency, always call 999.
For information on pet fostering and the organisations that can help you:
The Links Group
Website: www.thelinksgroup.org.uk
The Links Group is a national charity that raises awareness of the link between the abuse of people and animals through collaboration, research, training, and advocacy.
Links Accredited fostering services:
The Endeavour Project
Website: endeavourproject.org.uk
Provides confidential pet fostering for people escaping domestic abuse across the Northwest of England. Endeavour ensures animals are cared for in safe, loving homes until their owners can be reunited.
Cats Protection Lifeline
Website: cats.org.uk/what-we-do/cp-lifeline
Offers free, confidential cat fostering for survivors of domestic abuse, enabling people to reach safety while their cats are cared for by trusted volunteers. Operates across multiple UK regions.
Dogs Trust Freedom Project
Website: dogstrustfreedomproject.org.uk
Provides a free fostering service for dogs belonging to people fleeing domestic abuse. Dogs are temporarily placed with volunteer foster carers until their owners are rehoused and ready to be reunited.
Refuge4Pets
Website: refuge4pets.org.uk
Supports people in Devon and Cornwall escaping domestic abuse by providing specialist fostering for any pet type — dogs, cats, or small animals. The service removes a key barrier to safety and recovery for survivors.
Education, Campaigning and Training organisations:
Loop and the Centre for Animal-Inclusive Safeguarding (Loop Safeguarding)
Website: www.loop-safeguarding.org
Protect Animals. Protect People (PAPP) – Naturewatch Foundation
Website: www.naturewatch.org
RSPCA
Website: www.rspca.org.uk
Provides advice, education and reporting routes for cruelty and neglect cases, with links to local branches.
Charlotte Woodward
Head of Training & Development, NCDV