Scottish SPCA celebrates new Dog Theft Bill
Scottish SPCA says the law recognises dogs as sentient beings, rather than property.
The Scottish SPCA has welcomed the passing of the Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill, which it says will improve animal welfare across Scotland.
This new legislation means that dog theft is now a standalone offence, punishable by tougher penalties than before. It also means that theft of an assistance (helper) dog is an aggravated offence.
Offenders in Scotland could now face up to five years in prison and an unlimited fine if found guilty of dog theft.
The charity says this reform recognises dogs as sentient beings, rather than as property, and therefore recognises the seriousness of such thefts. It describes the crime as ‘traumatic’ for both the animal and the owner, and highlights the significant impact the theft of an assistance dog can have.
It says that the new law brings greater accountability and better fitting punishments to those who commit the crime, which it hopes will deter future incidents.
The new legislation is also expected to provide improved consistency with the collection of data about dog thefts.
The Scottish SPCA says the previous system made it difficult for them to track offenders and sentencing outcomes. It hopes that the new reporting system incorporated into the Bill will improve the reliability of information held on these cases.
However, while it has celebrated this progress, the charity says more needs to be done to improve animal welfare in Scotland.
As part of its 2026 manifesto, the charity has set out four key reforms to accomplish its charitable goals. This includes a National Offenders Register and a review of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act.
Nicola Strachan, head of advocacy and strategic partnerships at the Scottish SPCA, said: “This legislation sends a clear message that dog theft will be treated with the seriousness it deserves. While this is a significant step forward, it must be the foundation for wider reform.
“Our 2026 manifesto sets out further actions needed to make Scotland the best place in the world for an animal to call home, and we will continue working with policymakers to ensure this momentum is not lost.”
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