Ozzy's Law: Recognise pet retention without permission as emotional abuse
The Issue
What is Ozzy's Law?
‘Ozzy’s Law‘ is a proposed change to UK domestic abuse laws that would formally recognise the withholding of pets as a form of emotional abuse and control. This would lead to tougher sanctions on perpetrators and the ability for police intervention, enabling a faster reunion for owner and pet.
We believe that with the right sanctions and protocols in place, we could drastically reduce the number of loving pet owners who are being illegitimately deprived of their pet by an ex-partner, and allow police to take action so that owners can be reunited with their pets faster, without going through a lengthy legal process.
~
In the UK, coercive control became a criminal offence in 2015, allowing victims to seek justice and protection. It's time to expand this legislation to include the retention of pets after the breakdown of a relationship without the original owner's permission. Recognising this act as a form of emotional abuse acknowledges the deep bond between humans and their pets and the significant impact that withholding a pet can have on an individual's mental health and well-being.
According to the PDSA, around 51% of households in the UK own a pet, indicating a nation that deeply values animals as part of the family. Moreover, the RSPCA reports numerous cases every year where pets are used as a means of control and leverage in abusive relationships. By amending existing laws to include pet retention as a recognised form of emotional abuse, we can provide stronger protection for pet owners and ensure that pets are not used as pawns in human conflicts.
We urge the UK government to consider our plea and update the legislation to reflect these modern challenges. Doing so would not only protect current pet owners but also deter potential abusers from using pets as a control measure in relationships.
Please join us in making a change. Sign this petition to recognise pet retention without permission as a form of emotional abuse and support thousands of people and animals affected by this issue.
58
The Issue
What is Ozzy's Law?
‘Ozzy’s Law‘ is a proposed change to UK domestic abuse laws that would formally recognise the withholding of pets as a form of emotional abuse and control. This would lead to tougher sanctions on perpetrators and the ability for police intervention, enabling a faster reunion for owner and pet.
We believe that with the right sanctions and protocols in place, we could drastically reduce the number of loving pet owners who are being illegitimately deprived of their pet by an ex-partner, and allow police to take action so that owners can be reunited with their pets faster, without going through a lengthy legal process.
~
In the UK, coercive control became a criminal offence in 2015, allowing victims to seek justice and protection. It's time to expand this legislation to include the retention of pets after the breakdown of a relationship without the original owner's permission. Recognising this act as a form of emotional abuse acknowledges the deep bond between humans and their pets and the significant impact that withholding a pet can have on an individual's mental health and well-being.
According to the PDSA, around 51% of households in the UK own a pet, indicating a nation that deeply values animals as part of the family. Moreover, the RSPCA reports numerous cases every year where pets are used as a means of control and leverage in abusive relationships. By amending existing laws to include pet retention as a recognised form of emotional abuse, we can provide stronger protection for pet owners and ensure that pets are not used as pawns in human conflicts.
We urge the UK government to consider our plea and update the legislation to reflect these modern challenges. Doing so would not only protect current pet owners but also deter potential abusers from using pets as a control measure in relationships.
Please join us in making a change. Sign this petition to recognise pet retention without permission as a form of emotional abuse and support thousands of people and animals affected by this issue.
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on 4 July 2026