Pets caught in the crossfire of domestic abuse as MPs back Holly's Law
- Hayley O'Keeffe
- Jul 2
- 3 min read
More than seven in 10 domestic abuse victims say their pets have been threatened as campaigners urge Government to act
The brutal murder of a young woman whose pets had already been tortured and killed by her future killer has become the driving force behind growing calls for a new law to better protect both animals and people.
Holly Bramley was just 26 when she was murdered by her husband. Before killing Holly, her perpetrator had already tortured and killed her beloved pets, highlighting what campaigners say is a well-established pattern linking animal cruelty with escalating violence against people.
In the aftermath of her daughter's death, Holly's mother, Annette, proposed the creation of Holly's Law in the hope that no other family would have to endure the same tragedy.
The proposed legislation would introduce an Animal Protection Disclosure Scheme, similar to Clare's Law, allowing police to disclose information about someone convicted of animal cruelty where there is a safeguarding risk. Campaigners believe it could help identify dangerous individuals before violence escalates.
The renewed calls come after a Westminster Hall debate attended by MPs from across the political spectrum, with campaigners from Naturewatch Foundation meeting parliamentarians in Westminster this week to build support for the legislation.
The latest development follows repeated warnings from MPs about the close link between cruelty towards animals and violence against people, with evidence showing that 71% of domestic abuse victims report that their pets have been threatened with death.
For many victims, beloved dogs become a powerful tool of coercion, with abusive partners threatening to harm, injure or kill them in order to maintain control and prevent survivors from leaving dangerous relationships.
The debate followed a public petition signed by more than 238,000 people, but quickly moved beyond calls for a register of convicted animal abusers, with MPs instead focusing on Holly's Law as a practical way of preventing further abuse.
Speaking during the debate, Jacob Collier said: "The link between animal abuse and domestic violence cannot be ignored."
Campaigners believe the disclosure scheme could help protect both vulnerable people and their pets before abuse escalates.
Every year, thousands of animals are deliberately abused, maimed or killed, and campaigners argue that these acts are too often dismissed as isolated incidents, despite growing evidence that perpetrators can later go on to commit serious violence against partners, family members or others.
Naturewatch Foundation, which has led its Protect Animals. Protect People. campaign for several years, says recognising animal abuse as an early warning sign could significantly strengthen safeguarding across the UK.
Mark Randell, Campaign Manager at Naturewatch Foundation, said: "Holly's Law is about ensuring the right information reaches the right people at the right time.
"There is strong cross-party and professional support for an animal abuse disclosure scheme, which would give survivors of domestic abuse the right to know whether their partner has a history of animal cruelty."
The debate also highlighted another major concern for dog welfare organisations.
Currently, rescue centres, responsible breeders, veterinary professionals and animal welfare charities have no reliable way of checking whether someone hoping to acquire a dog has previously been disqualified from owning animals.
Campaigners say closing that loophole could help prevent dogs from falling back into the hands of known abusers.
Naturewatch Foundation believes the issue should no longer be viewed solely as one of animal welfare, but as an important public safety measure.
Mark Randell added: "The public and government support are there, now we need all relevant departments, including the Home Office and DEFRA, to work together to deliver Holly's Law for Holly, for Annette and for all victims of abuse.
"As Jacob Collier MP told the House, 'We owe it to Holly to take action.'"
