Independent MP in Tasmania, Australia, David O’Byrne, is set to propose a groundbreaking change to Tasmania’s family violence laws this week. The proposed legislation aims to include harming or threatening to harm animals as a form of family violence. This change, if passed, would make Tasmania one of the leading jurisdictions in Australia to formally recognize the profound impact of pet-related abuse in domestic violence situations.
The Proposal and Its Implications
According to ABC News, Mr. O’Byrne emphasized the emotional toll that pet-related abuse can take on victims. “Causing injury to an animal, including a pet, can be an incredibly distressing form of emotional abuse or intimidation,” he said. “It should be defined as family violence” [via ABC News].
Under the current laws, harming a pet could be considered as emotional abuse or damage to property. However, the proposed change would specifically categorize harm or threats to animals as acts intended to coerce, intimidate, or control a partner.
If the legislation passes, it would simplify the process for police and courts to take action against abusers who use pets as a means of control.
How Abusers Use Pets to Control Victims
Threats to harm pets are alarmingly common in abusive relationships. According to Dogs Trust Freedom, a specialist pet fostering service for survivors of domestic abuse in the UK, there is a significant connection between pets and domestic abuse. Their survey with professionals that support domestic abuse victims revealed that:
- 97% of professionals believed threats to pets were used as a tool to coerce and control.
- 89% of professionals knew of cases where pets had been used as a tool for emotional abuse.
- 89% of professionals were aware of cases where pets had also been abused.
- 59% of professionals knew of cases where pets or an owner’s ability to care for a pet had been impacted by financial abuse.
In the United States, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) reports that 71% of pet owners entering domestic violence shelters have had their abuser threaten, injure, or kill family pets.
According to the NCADV, abusers often use pet-related abuse to coerce their partner or children, stop victims from leaving, or force them to remain silent about the abuse. This pattern of behavior underscores the critical need for laws that specifically address pet-related abuse in domestic violence cases.
The National Domestic Abuse Hotline in the U.S. provides guidance for victims on how to protect their pets when planning to leave abusive relationships.
Real-Life Impact of Pet-Related Abuse
Family violence support service Engender Equality has seen the devastating effects of using animals in coercive control. “It’s incredibly common. By far the majority of people who are accessing our service are also concerned about their animals,” said Engender Equality chief executive Alina Thomas. “People will use whatever mechanism they can to control their partner. Pets are a very effective mechanism. It can be very, very subtle” [via ABC News].
Ms Thomas explained that when people are in a crisis and need to leave their home, it can be hard to think about how to accommodate their pets. Often, individuals will choose to stay to ensure their pet’s safety, making this a highly effective method of control.
Government’s Response and Future Steps
Premier Jeremy Rockliff has welcomed the proposal and indicated the government’s openness to consider it.
The Tasmanian Justice Department has noted that while family violence laws already include damage to ‘animate or inanimate property’, the specific recognition of harm to animals could further strengthen protections for victims. Tasmania was one of the first jurisdictions to introduce emotional abuse, threats, or intimidation as family violence offenses, including abuse related to pets.
Ms. Thomas emphasized the pressing need for housing and specialist support services that cater to both victims and their pets. She stressed the importance of having crisis housing solutions where animals can stay with their owners, as well as long-term housing options.
As Tasmania moves forward with considering this critical change, it represents a significant step towards comprehensive support for domestic abuse victims. Recognizing the abuse of pets as a form of family violence acknowledges the deep emotional bonds between pets and their owners.
Featured image: Domestic abuse and pets. Source: adan / Adobe Stock.
