RSPCA highlight the role pets play in domestic violence from control to being victims

Australian and international studies estimate pets are likely to be present in around 70 per cent of domestic and family violence cases.

Transcript

00:00Many of the referrals that we may actually get through our crisis support programs are referrals from police directly

00:06after recognising or potentially assisting somebody or family to leave a domestic violence situation.

00:12The individual may be hesitant because their pets are still remaining at the property.

00:18They want to ensure that their pets are also safe and be able to be reunited with their pets.

00:23So quite often we will find that animals also are victims of domestic violence, the same as what their owners are.

00:29If you fear for your pet safety, if somebody is potentially targeting your pet,

00:36whether or not it's through direct physical violence or whether or not it is even from just limiting their accesses to food,

00:45veterinary care, that is domestic violence in itself.