Women’s Aid contacted the RSPCA PetRetreat when they were planning an escape for their client Denise who they had been working with for over two years. After Denise’s partner found out that his wife was leaving him, he kicked Patrick, a pet elderly Cocker Spaniel - leaving him limping. The perpetrator also locked Patrick in the shed for the night. This attack was a punishment because Denise had been late home after collecting their children from school due to an accident on her route home. PetRetreat worked with Women’s Aid for two weeks deciding to meet Denise and collect Patrick as she would not leave without him, so she could flee to safety with her children. Denise remained in refuge for seven months and Patrick put into foster care with
