A recent report released by the animal welfare charity Naturewatch Foundation has revealed a concerning “postcode lottery” in the training of police forces across England and Wales in handling cases of coercive control involving pets. The report, titled “One Response,” sheds light on a critical but often overlooked aspect of domestic abuse.
Despite the widespread prevalence of domestic abuse, with an estimated 2.3 million adults affected in the year ending March 2024 and 12.6 million people (one in five adults) over their lifetimes, only 60% of police forces currently include training on how animals are used as tools of coercion, punishment, and manipulation by abusers.
Considering that 60% of UK households own a pet, the intersection of domestic abuse and animal abuse is a significant national safeguarding blind spot. The report highlights that there are approximately 900,000 crime scenes each year where a pet is present – meaning that there are 900,000 opportunities that could potentially be missed to protect both animals and people.
Mark Randell, Campaigns Manager at Naturewatch Foundation and former Senior Detective, states, “Survivors often form deep emotional bonds with their pets, particularly in the context of abusive relationships. Abusers frequently exploit this connection to exert further control. If we are truly committed to addressing Violence Against Women and Girls, a consistent and robust police response must be the standard. It’s concerning that, although this issue is recognized in domestic abuse risk assessments, it remains absent from mandatory police training.”
The Naturewatch Foundation submitted 43 Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to police forces in England and Wales. While 41 forces confirmed that they provide training on coercive control, only 26 reported that their training includes the role of pets in domestic abuse. Greater Manchester Police declined to respond.
The report also highlights the voices of 687 concerned supporters of the charity, who wrote to their Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) calling for stronger protections for both people and animals. While some Commissioners responded constructively, many cited operational limitations or passed the concern on without firm commitments.
Naturewatch Foundation is calling for:
– Mandatory training for all frontline officers on the use of pets in coercive control.
– National consistency in safeguarding policies related to pets.
– Greater collaboration between domestic abuse professionals and animal welfare experts.
Despite being recognized in official risk assessment tools like DASH and DARA, the link between animal and human abuse remains under-addressed in many areas.
“We shouldn’t be relying on luck or geography when it comes to keeping us safe,” Mark added. “Victims and their animals deserve a coordinated, informed response – no matter which police force is responsible for our home. Domestic abuse response must be consistent across all regions. Support shouldn’t be determined by postcode. There should be one response.”
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.