Exclusive Brethren sect denies telling members to kill their pets

Saturday, 16 May 2026 10:37

A prominent sect has denied telling members to euthanise their pets, but confirmed they have been urged to get rid of them.

Members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, better known as the Exclusive Brethren, were told households needed to be "freshly cleansed" of animals after a relative of church leader Bruce Hales was attacked by a dog last month.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports a letter was read from church leadership to meetings across the country earlier this morning with the directive.

The headquarters of the Exclusive Brethren in Sydney's west.

"The ownership of such an animal, let alone it being kept at a brother's home, is clearly wrong," the letter read.

"There are reports of some Brethren having reverted to owning pets, including dogs and other animals, which practice has been clearly spoken against in ministry.

The letter specified birds, mice and cats were also included in the directive, not just dogs.

In the 1960s the sect instructed members to euthanise their pets, stating that giving them away was sinful.

One blind man was reportedly cast out of the church for refusing to get rid of his guide dog.

But the sect has now issued a statement denying reports members were told to euthanise their pets.

"Very few families in the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church would keep pets, as we generally avoid distractions from family, faith and God, such as television, radio, or pet ownership," the statement read.

"Following a traumatic incident in which a child was attacked by a dog at the home of a church member, our church's position on pets was restated to parishioners in May 2026.

"This was not a 'new directive', but simply a reminder of a principle that was established some time ago."

The statement suggested the pets could be given to willing neighbours, colleagues or an animal shelter.

"We are aware of untrue and distressing online commentary which has misconstrued this as members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church being told to euthanise their pets," it read.

"The church would never condone cruelty to any living creature, and this position is being strongly reinforced to our congregation. We have the utmost respect for all of God's creations."

There are an estimated 16,000 members of the Exclusive Brethren in Australia.

The secretive sect practices separating itself from society at large, including not voting in elections.

Despite this, the Liberals came under scrutiny in last year's election after it was revealed members of the sect were participating in organised campaigns backing the party.

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