Newly released Domestic Abuse Act guidance now includes abusive behaviour impacting pets.
The guidance now formally recognises that 'control of a person's financial situation', such as impacting their ability to care for a pet, such as purchasing food and vet bills, constitutes economic abuse.
The guidance recognises and defines economic abuse as a type of domestic abuse, following the Surviving Economic Abuse campaign.
Dog's Trust has stated that "this recognition of economic abuse will be crucial in raising awareness of this form of abusive behaviour amongst a wide range of professionals, such as vets and those working with animals, and will ultimately help provide better protection to domestic abuse survivors and their pets."
They also said, "We see the impact that economic abuse has on the dogs that we foster, as well as the emotional distress that it causes their owners."
"Often perpetrators will control every expenditure, such as through withholding funds for vital veterinary care or dog food."
For further details on domestic abuse support and advice, visit Citizens Advice.
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