FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Canterbury, UK. April 3rd 2025 – A new petition is calling on the Government to reform outdated laws that treat pets as property in Court cases.
Launched by Cooper & Co Solicitors of Canterbury, a specialist firm which has been acting for pet owners since the 1990’s, the campaign aims to reshape how Courts handle pet-related cases including tug of love cases and other ownership battles, negligence claims and more.
“Owners are shocked to learn the law still treats pets as chattels, no different from a table or a waistcoat,” says Solicitor, Jack Sullivan. “Most see their pets as family, yet Courts are not required to consider their welfare or emotional bonds. It is high time the law caught up with public sentiment.”
The 2024 National Dog Survey by Dogs Trust revealed that “99% of dog owners said that their dogs are family”. Additional research by Purina found that 73% of people view their pets as “one of their best friends”. This overwhelming societal view stands in stark contrast to how the law currently views pets as property.
The campaign comes in the wake of recent media coverage of pet theft, the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022 and the Pet Abduction Act 2024 bringing concerns about the rights of pets to the forefront of public debate.
The solicitors warn that current laws need to change after witnessing a 37.5% rise in pet custody cases between 31 March 2024 and 31 March 2025 compared to the previous year with owners often wrongfully separated from their pets for a year or longer due to lengthy legal disputes.
They also state that those currently in legal proceedings are likely to receive little to no compensation if their pets are killed due to negligence, as Courts typically assess damages based only on the animal’s open market value.
The petition has already begun gaining traction among pet lovers, legal professionals, and animal welfare advocates, with over 2,700 signatures obtained within the first few days of launch.
Supporters are encouraged to use the hashtag: #FamilyNotProperty. As evidenced by the petition’s heat map, support has been garnered from across the UK, demonstrating the broadscale public support for the mission of the campaign.
Jack adds, “for millions of people, pets are not property – they’re comfort, companionship, and unconditional love. The public already knows pets are family, it’s time the law caught up.”
Petition Link: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/714902
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