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Domestic Abuse (Pets) Bill

A bill to Make provision for the application of non-molestation orders and occupation orders to behaviour relating to pets; to amend definitions of controlling or coercive behaviour and economic abuse to include behaviour relating to pets; to extend the application of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders to pets; and for connected purposes.

Be it enacted by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

1 Amendments to the Family Law Act 1996

(1) The Family Law Act 1996 is amended in accordance with this section.
(2) In section 33 (occupation orders where applicant has estate or interest etc. or has home rights), in subsection (3), after paragraph (g) insert—
(h) require the respondent to allow the applicant to retain possession of a relevant animal and to refrain from harming or threatening to harm such an animal.
(3) In section 35 (one former spouse or former civil partner with no existing right to occupy), in subsection (5), after paragraph (d) insert—
(e) require the respondent to allow the applicant to retain possession of a relevant animal and to refrain from harming or threatening to harm such an animal.
(4) In section 36 (one cohabitant or former cohabitant with no existing right to occupy), in subsection (5), after paragraph (d) insert—
(e) require the respondent to allow the applicant to retain possession of a relevant animal and to refrain from harming or threatening to harm such an animal.
(5) In section 37 (neither spouse or civil partner entitled to occupy), in subsection (3), after paragraph (d) insert—
(e) require the respondent to allow the applicant to retain possession of a relevant animal and to prohibit the respondent from harming or threatening to harm such an animal.
(6) In section 38 (either cohabitant or former cohabitant entitled to occupy), in subsection (3), after paragraph (d) insert—
(e) require the respondent to allow the applicant to retain possession of a relevant animal and to prohibit the respondent from harming or threatening to harm such an animal.
(7) In section 42 (non-molestation orders), in subsection (1), after paragraph (b), insert—
(c) provision prohibiting the respondent from molesting a relevant animal.
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(8) In section 63 (interpretation of Part IV), in subsection (2), after the definition of “relative” insert—
relevant animal means any domesticated pet that is owned or kept by an applicant for an occupation order or a molestation order, or cared for by a relevant child.
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2 Amendments to the Domestic Abuse Act 2021

(1) The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 is amended in accordance with this section.
(2) In section 1 (definition of “domestic abuse”)—
(a) in subsection (4), after paragraph (b) insert—
(c) access or care for a pet owned or kept by B.
(b) After subsection (4), insert—
(4A) “Controlling or coercive behaviour” includes behaviour by A in relation to a pet owned or kept either—
(a) by B, or
(b) jointly by A and B.
.
(3) In section 35 (Provision that may be made by orders), in subsection (4), after paragraph (c) insert—
(d) may not harm, or threaten harm, towards any pet owned or kept by the person for whose protection it is made.
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3 Commencement, extent and short title

(1) This Act comes into force three months after the day on which it is passed.
(2) This Act extends to England and Wales.
(3) This Act may be cited as the Domestic Abuse (Pets) Act 2026.