The bill covers gaps in the Family Law Act 1996
The Domestic Abuse (Pets) Bill is set to get a second reading before the UK parliament, reported the Law Society Gazette.
Barrister Christina Warner drafted the bill to cover gaps in the Family Law Act 1996. The legislation includes pets in non-molestation and occupation orders.
The Domestic Abuse Bill will explicitly count pet abuse as a form of controlling or coercive behaviour. Moreover, courts will consider as proof of court order violations veterinary records, witness testimony, and digital evidence of threat or harm to pets.
The bill, which was born from Warner’s Ruby’s Law campaign, first went before parliament on March 10. The second reading is scheduled for April 17.
Warner, who could not attend the first reading due to a court appearance, told the Gazette that “amazing to know [Ruby’s Law] has become a real bill and is moving forward.” She said the bill strongly legitimized the campaign.
“Now Westminster has got eyes on this, it will come onto the family judiciary’s radar. It already has because of my brave colleagues. It is amazing to see this progress,” Warner said in a statement published by the Gazette.
Labour members of parliament Ruth Jones, Irene Campbell, Kerry McCarthy, Rachael Maskell, and Adam Jogee presented the private members’ bill alongside Conservative MPs Sir Roger Gale, Sir Desmond Swayne and Dr Neil Hudson; Plaid Cymru MP Ann Davies; and Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann.
Jones highlighted Warner’s leading of the matter in parliament. The goals of the Ruby’s Law campaign are to recognize pets as household members which can be affected by domestic abuse as with children and other family members. It also aims to protect and ensure pets’ safety in court proceedings, with care and wellbeing purposes. Moreover, it seeks to set clear responsibilities for the court with regard to pet-related decisions in domestic abuse cases and family law proceedings.
