A Holbeach woman whose daughter was murdered has set up a petition calling for a law to be introduced where people guilty of animal cruelty are put on a register.
Annette Bramley is looking to set up ‘Holly’s Law’ in memory of her daughter who was murdered by Nicholas Metson in March 2023.
She says he routinely abused Holly’s (26) and others’ animals, including once putting a puppy in a washing machine.
Annette says there is evidence of a link between cruelty to animals and those who go on to commit violent crime.
It would work like Claire’s Law already does for domestic abuse where police can disclose information about previous convictions on request.
“Our daughter was taken from us in the most tragic of circumstances,” the petition entitled ‘Establish Holly’s Law: An Animal Cruelty Register for Domestic Violence Protection’ on www.change.org states. “Her husband – a man routinely found guilty of causing harm to animals – eventually escalated his actions to take Holly’s life.
“We, as Holly’s loved ones, wish for Holly’s death to catalyse much-needed change.
“Every year, thousands of animals are brutally maimed or killed.
“Often, these despicable acts are committed by individuals who go on to become involved in incidents of domestic violence.
“A study by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) revealed a significant link between animal abuse and domestic violence, with up to 71 per cent of pet-owning women entering domestic violence shelters report that their abuser had injured, killed, or threatened a family pet.
“Around 70 per cent of people who committed domestic violence were also found to be animal abusers.
“An Animal Cruelty Register under Holly’s Law would help us recognise these underlying signs of violence and aid in preventing tragedies like Holly’s from repeating. It could serve as a red flag, a vital resource for potential partners of such individuals, law enforcement agencies, welfare institutions, and more.”
Annette said Holly had a host of pets including cats, dogs and rabbits which her murderer abused.
She described him as being ‘well known to the RSPCA’.
“It was one of the reasons why we disapproved of the relationship,” she told The Voice. “The abuse of animals we know of dates back to when Holly was still living at home.
“There were incidents at his own home and with previous girlfriends’ animals.
“We don’t know if threatening to hurt one of her animals was one of the reasons she didn’t leave him.
“There’s many instances of domestic abuse where they’ve threatened to hurt animals if the other partner leaves them.”
Annette said she’d had conversations with MP Sir John Hayes and Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones but the latter in particular had claimed it would be too expensive to set up.
“I just hope we can get to 100,000 signatures and force a debate in Parliament,” she said. “Holly witnessed some horrendous cruelty to her pets at the hands of the man who took her life and, with the link between animal cruelty and domestic abuse, I believe it’s imperative to establish some way of keeping track of those guilty of such crimes.
“Also, as many serial killers often start by killing animals before going on to murder humans, it goes without saying that such a register would be imperative to the aid of any investigation team.
“Some of Holly’s pets were strangled or drowned and we can only speculate as to why she would want to stay with such a monster.
“Maybe it was to save further pets from the same fate.”
The petition is here.
