Latest news with #petprotection
ABC News
7 days ago
- ABC News
DV prevention advocates want animal abuse defined in SA's coercive control laws
In the throes of intimate partner violence, Amber's dogs were more than a comfort. They were her closest confidants and a source of protection. "Looking at my dogs every day ... it shows you that it's not just about you in that situation," she said. As the violence evolved, Amber's "gentle but boisterous" staffies were kept away from her. She said it was "agonising to be separate from them". Amber made the decision to leave, but no shelters could accommodate her pets. She would return to the house to feed and comfort them and was distressed to see the neglect they endured while she was gone. If you need help immediately call emergency services on 000. "[One] had a cut on the top of her head … they weren't being fed adequately, they weren't being walked or stimulated in any way that they were used to," she said. "They'd both lost a lot of weight and would flinch when you'd approach them at times, as if they were scared of being hurt. "And I was putting myself in an extremely unsafe environment." Domestic violence victim-survivors and the Law Society of South Australia want stronger legal provisions for domestic violence against pets. A bill to criminalise coercive control passed South Australia's lower house but has stalled in the upper house. While animal abuse is referenced in the legislation — in an example about being convicted of another offence like animal cruelty — it is not explicitly listed as a form of control. "(Animal abuse) needs to be included within the definition to avoid any possibility that it's not considered as a means of coercive control." When victim-survivor Jennifer Howard left a domestic violence situation she could not take her dogs. "My dogs eventually ended up at the pound and were likely euthanased," she said. To heal and help others in the same situation, Ms Howard founded Adelaide-based charity Safe Pets Safe Families which runs an animal foster program. Speaking at South Australia's Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence in March — which will hand down its findings this month — Ms Howard explained how she had seen the human-animal bond get weaponised. "I've had some cases where a perpetrator has harmed the pet in front of the victim and said; 'you'll be next' to control them," she said. "That if they don't return home; 'this is what's going to happen' to their animal, so a lot of the time that's what draws people back to the house." A 2024 Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) literature review found it was common for victim-survivors to delay leaving, stay with or return to perpetrators because they could not take their animals. "They have really valid safety concerns for their animals if left behind," co-author and AIFS senior research officer Kylie Butler said. "You often have perpetrators that will try to isolate women and kids from traditional social support (like) family and friends, so the bonds between people and animals can be even more strong in these situations. The government study also found animal abuse was an early warning sign of intimate partner violence. Ms Butler said some victim-survivors believed the abuse would be dismissed by support workers or law enforcement, because it was a pet being harmed and "not a person". "The more people know about it, the more seriously it is taken," she said. The report recommended more animal-inclusive crisis accommodation, for animals to be included in safety planning, and strengthening collaborations between domestic and family violence services and pet foster services with the aim of reunification. It also found more training was needed for police, paramedics and vets in responding to domestic and family violence. "Being aware of this link … being aware of some of those early warning signs that it might be happening, but also knowing what to do then," Ms Butler said. Family Law and Domestic and Family Violence Committee Chair at Women's Legal Services Australia Meaghan Bradshaw said because domestic violence laws were formed by the states and territories, there was "some inconsistency in the way that animal abuse is recognised". "Domestic violence is complex … and it's important that all of the laws recognise the ways that it can occur, which can also include animal abuse," she said. In South Australia, a 2023 draft of the coercive control bill included harming animals in a list of coercive control examples, similarly to legislation in NSW. In New South Wales, "behaviour that causes death or injury to an animal, or otherwise makes use of an animal to threaten a person" comes under the legal definition of domestic abuse. But South Australian Attorney-General Kyam Maher said this was dropped following feedback from advocacy groups, revealing concerns that authorities may see a list of behaviours as exhaustive. "What we don't want to do is … have things excluded and not count as coercive control, because it's any sort of behaviour that seeks to restrict freedoms and any sort of harm that's threatened, including psychological harm that we want captured," he said. "We want to make sure it's as broad as possible." However, after questions to Mr Maher from the ABC he said the state government was considering making the inclusion. With the help of Jennifer Howard's charity, Amber's pets were cared for until she was able to home them again. "[They] are grey and old, which as an animal owner is what you would like," Amber said. Ms Howard and Amber want animal abuse as part of the "broad" definition of coercive control. "If we fail to recognise animals in domestic violence situations, we are failing to save human lives as well," Ms Howard said. "It's such a missing piece of the puzzle." They said more awareness of this risk factor could help end the national domestic violence crisis. "I think that if perpetrators knew the extent of what harming an animal could lead to, not all of them, but I think it would deter some of them," Amber said.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Yahoo
'I'm concerned there's someone out there - there are a lot of missing cats'
A cat owner says she has been left terrified after two of her pets were shot with an air rifle. Leigh Rollison became concerned when she noticed rescue Candy began 'acting really odd'. She then noticed a small wound and took the animal to vet Sinéad Bennett, who recognised the type of injury from a previous case. It was then confirmed there was a pellet lodged in Candy's body, millimetres from the spine. Fortunately, the nine-month-old is recovering. Insurance worker Leigh, 40, said she saw a similar wound on two-year-old pet Molly. Another X-ray confirmed the presence of an air rifle pellet. Leigh, from Winton, Salford said: "I don't understand it. I thought the first one might be a child in the garden by accident. "I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt, but I really am concerned now there's someone out there. There's a lot of missing cats around my area, I'm worried they're the unlucky ones. "We found our nine-month-old rescue kitten Candy in the morning and she was acting really odd. That pellet had gone to within millimetres of her spine, she was very nearly paralysed. She probably wouldn't have been able to get home. "Molly was probably hit first but she didn't show any signs because she's tough as old boots." Leigh, who has seven rescue cats, added: "I'm frightened... we don't know how to keep them safe. "What if someone has got a cat and they don't realise it's a pellet wound? We don't know who's doing this." Vet Sinéad said: "It's unthinkable that someone could deliberately harm such gentle and well-cared-for animals. We're deeply shocked but grateful we were able to help. The cats' owners are truly devoted and attentive people. These cats are their family.' MCR Vets sai in a statement: "In a previous case seen by Sinéad a few years ago, a cat that had been shot went missing for seven days before its devastated owners found it collapsed under a hedge. "The pellet had ruptured its intestines, causing widespread damage. By the time the cat was brought in, much of the bowel was no longer salvageable. "The surgery was extensive and life-saving, but the outcome could have been tragically different. Without intervention, the cat would have endured a slow and extremely painful death." The incidents have been reported to Greater Manchester Police. The Manchester Evening News has contacted the force for comment.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Yahoo
Terrified family who were viciously attacked by dog suddenly told 'crime is closed' by police
A terrified family who were the victims of a vicious dog attack in north Manchester have claimed they were told by police the 'crime would be closed' just days after the incident was reported. Miro was walking his small dog Remy, a Pomeranian weighing just two kilos, near his home in Newton Heath when he was approached by the larger dog, thought to be a neighbour's, on Windsor Road on Sunday (June 1). He claims the other dog charged towards him before latching onto his arm and hand while repeatedly biting him and jumping up. The horror ordeal was then caught on CCTV cameras nearby and show Miro trying to desperately protect his pet while running away. READ MORE: Hospital admissions rise as new Nimbus Covid variant spreads in UK READ MORE: M&S shoppers angry after spotting viral product resold at 'massively' marked-up price online Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE "The dog was on the street, on its own with no leash," he previously told the Manchester Evening News. "It noticed us, looked at us and immediately ran over and began attacking my dog. "I grabbed my dog and it bit me on the other hand, then my back, and my arms, and was jumping up at me. It wouldn't let go." He claimed the dog then followed him to his home and then began attacking his partner, before he was able to pick the dog up and 'throw' it outside. Footage captured the moment the dog began the attack, with graphic images showing the extent of Miro's injuries. He and his partner were left needing stitches after sustaining deep bite marks to his arms, hands and back. They also had vaccinations and X-rays in hospital. Speaking of the moment he 'threw' the attacking dog outside of his home, Miro added: "It was the adrenaline, but it was terrifying. "I just wanted to protect my dog and my partner and try to keep us safe." The incident was reported to Greater Manchester Police who began an investigation. However, eight days later, he received a text from the force telling him the 'crime would be closed' as all investigative avenues had been exhausted. Yet the force has since told the M.E.N that an investigation is ongoing to determine which dog attacked him. "The information you provided was recorded and helped us to complete an initial investigation," the text said. "With no further avenues to investigate, the crime will now be closed. "GMP understands this might not have been the outcome you hoped for." Miro was left confused, claiming the dog is regularly off-leash in the area, and that nearby families have been left 'too scared' to let their children play out. "All we got was this text out of the blue, and later an email, telling us it had been closed," he said. "I can't comfortably say what the opinion of the police is because we haven't had an explanation. "All I know is there is one dog that looks like this on this street. What else can we do? The police have photos, videos and evidence. It's a difficult situation. We thought we were safe, but we don't feel it now. "My injuries are healing; I was at the hospital yesterday and was told it will still need to be dressed for a week. We are more worried about the psychological impact on us and those living on this street who are too scared to let their children play out. That's the impact here. We did everything we could." After contacting GMP, the force said the investigation is ongoing to try and gather evidence to determine which dog attacked him. --- Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it. That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it. And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on newsdesk@ or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Influencer hospitalised after being attacked by two Rottweilers who were off a leash at the beach
A Queensland-based influencer has opened up about her harrowing experience after being attacked by two rottweiler dogs who were let off their lead at the beach. TikTok star Claire Champion shared a clip to the social media platform on Monday in which she revealed how terrified she was by the encounter. 'I am not okay, I have come out of hospital at 4pm after taking my dog for a walk this morning. We were approached by two rottweilers who were off their leash,' she began. Claire added her dog appeared terrified by the encounter, as they tried to escape without harm. 'We were walking down a nature strip near the off-leash dog beach. My dog is super-reactive, I pull her back in... The [owner] sees this and calls over the dogs, who see us and start running over,' she added. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'I picked my dog up, just bracing for it, thinking this is going to be so bad. The dog comes around, faces us and steps forward. Claire added she gave the rottweilers a warning to back off but instead it escalated the situation. 'I kicked the dog in the chest, I was like, "No!" My dog Billie let out a little bark, before I knew it I was on the ground with her underneath me, trying to shelter her from these dogs,' she tearfully recounted. 'All I could think about was protecting her. All I can remember is screaming, "no, no, no" as they bit Billie's legs. I fully blacked out.' She added she realised she was injured when she inspected her body. 'I look at my hand and there is blood dripping down it. I told the owner I need to go to hospital,' she said. 'I have to go in for day surgery tomorrow to get my hand opened back up and properly cleaned. The cut is all the way to the bone. 'I'm probably going to have to get both fingernails removed because they have been compromised by teeth. The doctors are really worried about infection. Claire added she didn't blame the rottweiler dogs for what happened but instead saw it as the fault of their owner. 'It was not their fault, it was complete owner error. Who the f**k in their right mind takes two rottweilers for a walk and then takes them off the leash?' she sniped. 'My poor dog and I are traumatised.' Claire finished by asking her 130,000 followers if any of them could advise her about what the steps she should be taking going forward.
