Protect Animals. Protect People: Recognising All Victims of Domestic Abuse

When we think of domestic abuse, our minds often go straight to the people affected, the partners, children, family members, and friends whose lives are shattered by fear and control. However, there is another group of victims who are often overlooked in this conversation: our pets.

For many families, pets are not “just animals”, they are companions, sources of comfort, and lifelines during times of distress. Tragically, abusers know this. Research shows that in homes where domestic abuse is present, up to 89% of survivors report their pets have been threatened, harmed, or killed by the abuser (Ascione, 2007). In the UK, 49% of domestic abuse professionals have encountered cases where a pet was killed as part of the abuse (The Links Group, 2012). For some survivors, the fear of leaving a pet behind is the single factor that keeps them from seeking safety.

At Naturewatch Foundation, our campaign Protect Animals. Protect People exists to bring these truths into sharper focus. We are working to ensure that pets are recognised as victims, while also emphasising how animal abuse is often a red flag for wider patterns of violence. Evidence from criminology shows a well-established link between early animal cruelty and later violence toward people (Arluke et al., 1999). By treating animal abuse as a “first strike” indicator, we can identify escalating risks earlier and save lives.

Our approach is both practical and policy driven. We are pressing for mandatory training for all police officers on the role of pets in coercive control. Current research reveals that although both the DASH and DARA risk assessments include questions on animal abuse, only 60% of police forces currently train officers on this issue (One Response Report, 2025). Embedding pets into safeguarding practice means officers and frontline professionals can better understand the dynamics at play in abusive households and act to protect all victims.

It is equally important to stress that anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse. Women make up the majority of victims, but men and non-binary people also suffer in silence. According to the Office for National Statistics (2023), around 751,000 men experienced domestic abuse in England and Wales in the previous year, yet support services remain disproportionately focused on women. This gap means male survivors often feel overlooked or doubted when they seek help.

That’s why we are proud to stand alongside organisations like the Empowering Men Initiative CIC, a Yorkshire-based group dedicated to raising awareness of male victims and the gaps in provision that still exist. In our discussions with them, stories like that of Priest the Weimaraner remind us of the human-animal bond at the heart of this issue, and the lasting pain that comes with its rupture.

Partnerships like these are essential. No single organisation can tackle such a complex and cross-cutting issue alone. By working with domestic abuse specialists, animal welfare charities, law enforcement, policymakers, and survivor advocates, we can amplify each other’s voices and push for change that truly protects all victims.

Domestic abuse awareness is not only about shining a light on hidden suffering; it is also about driving action. By recognising the overlap between animal cruelty and human violence, by listening to diverse survivor experiences, and by advocating for systemic change, the Protect Animals. Protect People campaign is helping to shape a more inclusive, more compassionate response.

Because ultimately, protecting pets means protecting people too.