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MPs attend event on domestic abuse involving pets
“It was really encouraging to see cross-party concern regarding the link between animal abuse and domestic abuse” – Mark Randell.
Naturewatch Foundation is campaigning for more to be done on the issue.

A drop-in event has been held in Parliament to raise awareness about domestic abuse where pets are involved.

The event, held on 22 October, was hosted by the charity Naturewatch Foundation and the All-party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group.

Over 20 MPs from across the political spectrum attended to learn about how pets can be used by perpetrators of domestic abuse to coercively control their victim, including through threatening to torture or kill animals. This kind of abuse can lead to people delaying leaving an abusive household because they want to protect their pet.

Last year, Naturewatch Foundation launched its 'Protect Animals. Protect People' campaign. The charity is calling for animal abuse awareness to be added to the domestic abuse prevention toolkit for the criminal justice system, support for animal victims of domestic abuse, and increased knowledge of the signs of animal abuse as part of coercive control.

Since the campaign's launch, 95 per cent of police websites in England and Wales now offer advice to abuse survivors with pets. Police training programmes and policies have also been changed.

Mark Randell, Naturewatch Foundation’s campaign manager, said: “We sincerely thank the MPs who attended our event and backed our campaign to improve support for domestic abuse victims who have pets. It was really encouraging to see cross-party concern regarding the link between animal abuse and domestic abuse.

“Domestic abuse makes up 18 per cent of all recorded crime. Abusers understand the special bond that exists between a person and a pet. Targeting that relationship is a way they can coercively control, in the same way that they cut their victim off from their family, friends, and financial independence.

“Tackling animal abuse should form part of any strategy to tackle domestic abuse, and a multi-agency approach is crucial. By ‘breaking the link’ and protecting animals, we can make people safer too.”

If you are experiencing domestic abuse or know someone who is, you can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, on 0808 2000 247 at any time.

Image © Shutterstock

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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.