Government backs new pet abduction legislation
The new law means that those convicted of pet abduction could face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.
The UK government has backed new pet abduction legislation, which will mean offenders get up to five years in prison.
The Pet Abduction Bill will make dog and cat theft a specific offence, separate to the theft of an inanimate object.
This legislation comes as the Pet Theft Taskforce reveals that approximately 2,000 dog thefts and over 400 cat thefts were reported to the police in 2020.
In recognising dogs and cats as sentient beings, the new legislation will acknowledge the distress and trauma that pet abduction can have on both pets and their owners. Whereas pet abduction has previously been legislated the same way as the theft of non-sentient possessions, the new law means that those convicted of pet abduction could face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.
The government says that the Pet Abduction Bill, a Private Member’s Bill sponsored by Anna Firth MP, will deliver on pledges that were made in its Action Plan for Animal Welfare.
The Action Plan for Animal Welfare was published in 2021, and set out the government’s plans for improving animal welfare through tightened legislations. These laws have included recognition of animal sentience, tougher penalties for animal cruelty offences and a ban on keeping primates as pets.
Anna Firth MP, who sponsored the Pet Abduction Bill, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Pet Abduction Bill has passed its second reading, and will move on to Committee stage.
“As a nation of pet-lovers, it is vital that the law recognises the emotional impact that the abduction of a pet can have, and brings the perpetrators to justice that correctly reflects this.”
The government faced controversy in 2023 when it scrapped the Kept Animals Bill, which would have tackled several animal welfare issues including pet theft.
David Bowles, head of public affairs at the RSPCA, said: “The theft of a pet is devastating and we need tougher laws to act as a real deterrent to those who carry out this crime; cracking down on those who steal people's much-loved animals.
“We were bitterly disappointed when plans to tackle pet theft hit the buffers when the UK government binned its Kept Animals Bill last year - but thankfully Anna Firth MP has put this issue back on the agenda and we are delighted this law has completed second reading.”
Image © RSPCA
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