Peggy’s story.  

Hi, I'm Louise, and I'm reaching out to you for support. I recently experienced a tragic and life-changing event when my home was intentionally set on fire. This horrifying act has left me without a home, all my belongings destroyed, and, most painfully, it took the life of my best friend and beloved dog, Peggy.

The fire started while I was taking a nap. I was fortunate enough the neighbours woke up me up in time. I tried to save Peggy, but it was too late. The fire service and paramedics worked to save her, but there was nothing they could do. Peggy was such a gentle soul, a dog who wouldn’t hurt a fly, everyone who knew her or met her loved her dearly, she was truly one in a million. 

My home is completely destroyed, but, most devastatingly, Peggy, who was more than just a pet, lost her life. She was my best friend, my world, she brought me comfort and joy even at the saddest times of my life. The pain from losing such an important and precious part of my life is unbearable. 

And this is where we need your help and support. 

In the UK, companion animals like dogs and cats are currently treated as property under the law. This means that if they are harmed or killed during a criminal act, such as arson, the legal system treats their loss in the same way as damage to an object, like furniture or a car. The law does not consider the suffering of the animal or the emotional bond shared between pets and their owners.

This petition calls for a change in the law to recognise companion animals as sentient beings, not merely property. By doing so, the legal system would better reflect the deep emotional connection people have with their pets and offer stronger protections for animals when they are harmed during criminal acts.

We believe that when a companion animal is harmed or killed during criminal act, offenders should face sentences that reflect the severity of the crime. Pets are beloved members of the family, and their suffering or loss should not be treated the same as damage to inanimate objects.

By changing the law to recognise animals as sentient beings, we are calling for harsher penalties that reflect the emotional and physical harm done. Offenders should face consequences that truly acknowledge the seriousness of taking or harming a living, feeling being.

As part of our campaign to change the law, we plan to take the following steps:

 1. Raise Awareness – We will work to inform the public about how current laws treat pets as property and why this needs to change. This includes social media campaigns, community outreach, and sharing stories of affected pet owners.

 2. Build Support – We’ll gather signatures through petitions to show lawmakers how much public support there is for treating pets as sentient beings under the law. The more voices we have, the stronger our case.

 3. Work with Experts – We’ll connect with animal welfare organisations, legal experts, and advocates to help strengthen our campaign. Their expertise will help us shape the best possible legal reforms.

 4. Engage with Lawmakers – Once we have strong public support, we will approach MPs and other key figures in government to push for legal changes. We’ll present them with our petition and evidence showing why this change is necessary.

 5. Keep Pushing – We know change takes time, so we’ll keep the pressure on by continuing to raise awareness and pushing for reform until the law reflects the true value of pets as sentient beings.

We, the undersigned, call upon the UK Government to enact legislation that recognises companion animals (pets) as sentient beings rather than mere property. We believe that existing laws already acknowledge the sentience and value of animals, and it’s time for these principles to be extended to all companion animals.

Why is this important?

Companion animals are beloved members of our families. They provide emotional support, companionship, and unconditional love. However, under current law, most pets are still treated as “property,” a category that fails to reflect their sentience and the important role they play in our lives. By changing the law to recognise companion animals as sentient beings, we will:

 • Ensure greater protections for our pets.

 • Acknowledge the emotional bond between pets and their owners.

 • Reflect the changing attitudes toward animal welfare in society.

Holding Offenders Accountable When Animals Are Harmed or Killed

When companion animals are harmed or killed as a result of reckless or criminal activity, there is currently insufficient legal recourse to ensure justice. This was tragically demonstrated in the case of Peggy.

We believe that when animals are harmed or killed due to criminal acts, such as arson or other reckless behaviours, there should be specific charges recognising the loss of a sentient being, not just the destruction of “property.” Offenders must be held accountable, with appropriate punishments reflecting the emotional and social value of the lives lost.

Existing Legal Frameworks Supporting Our Petition

Several laws already show that animals are more than just property, and these can serve as a foundation for further legal recognition of companion animals:

 1. Animal Welfare Act 2006 (England and Wales)

This act imposes a legal duty of care on animal owners, ensuring that animals’ physical and emotional needs are met. This demonstrates that animals are not mere objects but beings with needs that must be addressed.

 2. Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Act 2019 (“Finn’s Law”)

This law criminalises the harm of service animals such as police dogs and guide dogs, recognising their intrinsic value and the vital roles they play. It sets a precedent for treating animals as sentient beings deserving of protection.

 3. Pet Abduction Act 2024

The Pet Abduction Act makes it a criminal offense to steal pets and explicitly recognises that pets are more than property. This law acknowledges the emotional distress caused by the theft of a pet and separates pets from property in legal terms.

 4. EU Recognition of Animal Sentience (Pre-Brexit)

Under the Lisbon Treaty, animals were recognised as sentient beings under EU law. While the UK has left the EU, this acknowledgment of animal sentience is an important legal milestone and reflects a growing global consensus on animal welfare.

 5. Scotland: Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) Act 2020

In Scotland, stronger penalties and protections for animals were introduced, emphasising the importance of treating animals with respect and care. This shift shows that attitudes toward animals as property are already changing.

What We Are Calling For

We urge the government to introduce legislation that:

 • Formally recognises companion animals as sentient beings rather than property.

 • Extends legal protections to all companion animals, not just service animals or animals involved in theft cases.

 • Creates a new legal category for companion animals, separate from other forms of property, to reflect their unique emotional and social value.

 • Recognises specific charges for the harm or killing of companion animals in cases of reckless or criminal activity, ensuring that offenders are punished appropriately for the loss of a sentient being, not just for property damage.

How You Can Help

By signing and sharing this petition, you will be helping to push for a compassionate and necessary change in how the law treats our beloved pets. Let’s move towards a society that acknowledges the true value of our companion animals.

Peggy was a living breathing sentient being, with feelings and emotions, her life under the current law has no more value than a bookcase. 

Peggys story has touched the heart of people far and wide, together, we can create a legal system that values the lives and well-being of our beloved pets. By signing this petition, you are helping to ensure that companion animals are no longer treated as mere property, but as the sentient beings they are, deserving of proper protection under the law. Let’s stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves and push for justice that truly reflects the love and connection we share with our pets.

Sign and share this petition today to help us change the law and protect our animals

Thank you