23.06.25
A new report by Naturewatch Foundation reveals a troubling postcode lottery in how police approach training on domestic abuse involving pets.
Our One Response investigation found that although most police forces provide training on coercive control, only 60% include any mention of how pets are used in this way, to threaten, punish or manipulate. That means in nearly half of England and Wales, officers might not be trained to recognise this form of abuse, despite its serious implications for both people and animals.
Read the full report here.
What We Found
To find out how police are being trained, we sent 43 Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to police forces across England and Wales. Here’s what we discovered:
- 41 out of 43 forces confirmed they provide training on coercive control
- Only 26 forces (60%) said that training covers the role of pets in domestic abuse
- One force refused to respond, and another described it as “an ongoing project”
This inconsistency means police understanding on this issue may depend entirely on where you live.
Why This Matters
Domestic abuse is a national crisis. In the year ending March 2024:
- An estimated 2.3 million adults experienced domestic abuse
- Over 850,000 incidents were recorded as crimes
- Nearly 12.6 million people in the UK have been affected over their lifetimes
With 60% of UK households owning at least one pet, the crossover between domestic abuse and animal abuse is huge. That’s roughly 900,000 crime scenes a year where a pet could be present, and potentially at risk.
For many survivors, fear for the safety of a beloved pet is a major reason for remaining in a dangerous home or returning to one. Abusers know this and use it to their advantage.
Voices for Change
We aren’t the only ones concerned. 687 Naturewatch Foundation supporters recently contacted their Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to demand change.
While a few Commissioners took the issue seriously and passed concerns to safeguarding teams, many pointed to operational limitations or failed to commit to any action at all.
That’s why we’re calling for:
- Mandatory training for frontline officers on the role of pets in coercive control
- Nationally consistent safeguarding policies across all 43 police forces
- Stronger partnerships between police, domestic abuse professionals and animal welfare experts
New Scotland Yard
Our Campaign Manager, Mark Randell, will present the One Response report at New Scotland Yard on Tuesday 17 June.
We’ll be sharing insights from the event in an upcoming blog, so stay tuned.
One Response
A survivor’s safety should never depend on a postcode.
That’s why our Protect Animals. Protect People. campaign is pushing for one clear message: We need One Response for every force.
Find out more about our campaign and how you can get involved here.
