Petitions/Review and reform legal status of pets, and rules on animal control equipment
StatusOngoing
Opened8 Jan 2026
Closes
Government responseResponded
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones 10,000

I ask the Government to review and reform the status of pets to recognise them in all cases as sentient family members and relatives, not chattel. Set out specific strict rules on using animal-control equipment like catch poles and strong penalties if negligence or force cause harm or death to pets.

Losing a pet can cause the same pain as losing a family member, but the law still treats them as property. My dog, Bronson, died in a tragic incident, and I don’t want any other family to experience this. I believe clear rules on catch pole use and strong legal recognition and protections for pets could help prevent avoidable harm and ensure proper accountability in the future. These reforms could be named Bronson's Law.

11,203Total signatures
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Government response

We are sorry to hear of Bronson’s death. Where dogs pose a risk to others, restraint poles are an important tool. We continue to support police to embed animal welfare in enforcement practice.

Constituency engagement ranking

Mr Adnan Hussain
1Mr Adnan Hussain MP
Blackburn
200
Andy MacNae
2Andy MacNae MP
Rossendale and Darwen
71
Alex Norris
3Alex Norris MP
Nottingham North and Kimberley
44
Sarah Smith
4Sarah Smith MP
Hyndburn
41
Stephanie Peacock
5Stephanie Peacock MP
Barnsley South
37
Ms Polly Billington
6Ms Polly Billington MP
East Thanet
37
Ian Lavery
7Ian Lavery MP
Blyth and Ashington
36
Baggy Shanker
8Baggy Shanker MP
Derby South
36
Chris Webb
9Chris Webb MP
Blackpool South
35
Alan Mak
10Alan Mak MP
Havant
35