Amendments on domestic abuse and animal welfare will be debated this week in the Northern Ireland Assembly as part of the Justice Bill.

The changes were tabled by Paul Frew MLA and appear in the Marshalled List for discussion.

Causeway Coast Dog Rescue welcomed the move, describing it as an important step in recognising the role pets can play in coercive control.

Ruby's Law, founded by barrister Christina Warner, seeks to address cases where victims delay leaving abusive situations due to concerns for their animals.

Tara Cunningham of Causeway Coast Dog Rescue said threats and intimidation involving pets are used to trap people in dangerous situations.

She called on all MLAs to support the amendments and urged improved data collection and partnership working across domestic abuse, housing, safeguarding and animal welfare sectors.

The amendments aim to strengthen recognition of animal harm within coercive and controlling behaviour in Northern Ireland.