Who gets the dog? The legal rights of companion animals in domestic violence cases

In domestic violence cases, companion animals such as cats and dogs can often bear the brunt of the abuse. Victims, when they flee a violence relationship, often have to leave the companion animal behind. New law reform gives the court the power to order ownership of the animal, taking into account whether there was any domestic violence or cruelty towards the animal. This law reform will give better protection to pets where there is domestic violence.