Parliament meeting sought cross-party support.

Campaigners have met with MPs in Parliament to call for stronger safeguards against repeat animal abuse.

Holly’s Law could see the introduction of an Animal Protection Disclosure Scheme, which would allow the police to disclose information about convicted animal abusers if there is a safe-guarding risk.

The Parliamentary debate is the result of a petition, signed by more than 238,000 people. Supporters believed that the existing register of convicted animal abusers could be enhanced to protect animals and people.

Holly's Law is named in honour of Holly Bramley, who was killed by her husband at the age of 26. Her husband was a repeat offender, who had previously tortured and killed Holly's pets.

Her mother, Annette Bramley, proposed the law to establish a nationwide animal cruelty registry of individuals known to harm or kill animals.

As part of discussions, MPs considered established links between animal abuse and domestic abuse. They discussed RSPCA evidence, which revealed that 71 per cent of domestic abuse victims had received death threats aimed at their pets.

Jacob Collier MP told the House: "The link between animal abuse and domestic violence cannot be ignored.”

MPs also discussed its potential benefits for rescue centres, breeders, veterinary professionals and animal welfare organisations. These entities currently have no reliable way of ascertaining if a potential pet owner has been disqualified from owning one.

Naturewatch Foundation has similarly been addressing this connection through its campaign, ‘Protect Animals. Protect People.’. The campaign highlights links between animal cruelty, domestic abuse and serious violent crime.

Mark Randell, campaign manager at Naturewatch Foundation, said: “Holly's Law is about ensuring the right information reaches the right people at the right time. There is strong cross-party and professional support for an animal abuse disclosure scheme, which would give survivors of domestic abuse the right to know whether their partner has a history of animal cruelty.”

He added: “The public and government support are there, now we need all relevant departments, including the Home Office and DEFRA to work together to deliver Holly's Law for Holly, for Annette and for all victims of abuse.

“As Jacob Collier MP told the House, "We owe it to Holly to take action."”

Image © Naturewatch Foundation