Dog and cat theft to become specific crimes from August
Around 2,000 dog thefts were reported to the police in 2020.
Stealing a dog or cat will become specific criminal offences in England and Northern Ireland, after the Pet Abduction Bill received royal assent on 24 May 2024.
Campaigners had feared that the legislation might not be passed before Parliament is dissolved on 30 May 2024 ahead of the upcoming general election, but the bill was successfully pushed through its final stages.
The new law will come into force in August. Anyone found guilty of the offence could face a fine, a maximum prison sentence of five years, or both.
The legislation, introduced to the House of Commons as a Private Members’ Bill by Anna Firth, recognises pets as sentient beings. Previously, dog and cat abduction fell under the same laws as the theft of inanimate objects.
Data from the Pet Theft Taskforce suggests that around 2,000 dog thefts and more than 400 cat thefts were reported to the police in 2020.
Although it will only apply to cats and dogs, the bill allows the legislation to be extended to cover other animals which are commonly kept as pets if there is evidence that the number of thefts of that species is either significant or significantly increasing.
Ed Hayes, head of public affairs at The Kennel Club, said: “We applaud the hard and persistent work of every organisation and individual who has been raising awareness of this issue and calling for action for many years.
“Currently, the theft of a pet is treated no more seriously than the theft of a mobile phone, despite the utter heartbreak it causes.
"This new law is desperately needed to ensure that sentencing provisions reflect a dog’s sentience and their role within their family, as well as fully taking into account the emotional harm inflicted on the victims of this crime.”
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Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
