Pets hardest hit in messy divorces

The puppy case is one of the more tame acts of cruelty with a rising number of animals ducking for cover in marriage breakdowns.

The threats to kill and maim pets are becoming part of the regular revenge tactics of warring couples as they share custody of kids and animals, the Courier Mail reported.

Australian Divorce Blog author Stephen Page told the publication that it happens fairly regularly where couples split up.

On the other hand, the RSPCA's Michael Beatty said that animals have a sixth sense and are very sensitive to the emotions of a marriage break.

The number of divorce cases involving spats over animals is also rising, with one in three Australian marriages ending in divorce.

According to the Family Court of Australia, animals are regarded as "personal property" in a marital split, which means they have to be valued.