Pets ‘hidden victims’ in domestic abuse cases

Karen Chhour. Photo: Getty Images

Household pets are often the forgotten victims of family abuse, the minister for children says.

On Wednesday, the Minister for Children and for Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour said she wanted to bring attention to "some hidden victims of domestic abuse — our pets".

"New Zealand unfortunately has unacceptably high rates of family violence in the developed world, and at the same time one of the highest rates of pet ownership," she said.

Whāngaia Ngā Pā Harakeke Senior Sergeant Regan Gray, of the Dunedin police, said when people thought of family violence, they generally thought of physical, sexual, psychological and emotional abuse.

"There’s several other forms of violence including abuse to pets, economic abuse, cultural abuse, spiritual abuse, and using children, isolation, dominance, minimising, denying and blaming.

"Abuse to pets is a common form of power and control used by family harm perpetrators."

However, he said in Dunedin, family harm calls to police were thankfully not a regular occurrence.

"Police officers, by virtue of their role, have to regularly attend some of the most sobering and difficult family harm episodes.

"If you believe that you are experiencing family harm through the abuse of your pets, we strongly encourage you to report this to police — we have the capability and resources to provide support and keep you safe," Snr Sgt Gray said.

Data from Women’s Refuge showed that 53% of women in abusive relationships nationally delayed leaving their violent partners for fears of their pets’ safety, and pets were killed by the abuser in 24% of cases.

"Frontline agencies are reporting a rise in sadistic violence towards animals in domestic abuse cases — these are not isolated incidents; they are part of a pattern of extreme cruelty," Ms Chhour said.

She said it was not well known enough that when people apply for a protection order under the New Zealand Family Violence Act, they could ask the Family Court to add a special condition to protect their animals.

"This means the abuser can be legally forbidden from hurting or taking the pets.

"I would encourage everyone to tell your friends, family and colleagues."