The UK government is reportedly set to endorse a proposal to make the theft of cats and dogs a criminal offence. MP Anna Firth is leading the Pet Abduction Bill, which would create a specific offence of “pet abduction.” Stealing a pet is currently treated as theft, with the punishment varying based on the value of the animal. Prosecution of pet thefts is relatively rare which, according to Firth, creates a “low-risk, high-reward crime.”
If the bill becomes law, anyone found guilty of abducting a pet could be subject to a fine or a prison sentence of up to five years. Currently, pets are considered to be property, and their theft is covered under the 1968 Theft Act in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, while Scotland operates under similar law. The proposed legislation follows the UK government’s promise to make the abduction of dogs a criminal offence this year.
In May 2023, ministers dropped the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, which included provisions covering pet theft, leading to criticisms from campaigners. This initial action was taken in response to concerns about dog theft during the Covid pandemic and was prompted by recommendations from the pet theft task force. Home Secretary Priti Patel had said that pet theft was an “awful crime” that caused families “great emotional distress while callous criminals line their pockets.”
According to a 2021 report by the Pet Theft Awareness group, the police-recorded increase in cat thefts rose by 40% compared to the previous year and has more than quadrupled since 2015. The group has campaigned for a change in the law and the recognition of pets as “valued living possessions” rather than inanimate objects. They have also called for compulsory scanning to increase the chances of stolen or missing pets reunited with their rightful owners
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