New offence to tackle dog theft moves step closer

A new criminal offence to crack down on dog theft and set men and women who steal these much loved pets behind bars for up to 5 years has been established out in the Government’s Kept Animals Bill nowadays.

The pet abduction offence, declared in September by Defra, will be included by the Authorities to the Saved Animals Invoice, bolstering the raft of steps it previously features to further secure pets, livestock and retained wild animals.

Prior to this new offence, pet theft was treated as a reduction of home to the proprietor. This new offence will just take into account the psychological distress triggered to each the owner and the canine and will help judges’ capability to hand down much more targeted penalties and sentences for pet thieves. A provision will also be built in the Monthly bill to prolong the offence to other pets in the future, need to evidence guidance this.

By introducing this offence, the Governing administration is subsequent the suggestion of the Pet Theft Taskforce, launched in May well 2021 to tackle a claimed rise in pet thefts during the pandemic. Evidence shows that more than 2,000 incidents of pet theft had been documented to the police last yr, producing significant distress for proprietors and their animals alike. For crimes recorded by police in which animals are stolen, about seven in 10 entail dogs.

Atmosphere Secretary George Eustice mentioned:

The decline of a a lot-loved pet brings about exclusive distress. I am delighted that we are legislating to recognise this certain criminal offense.

The new pet dog abduction offence will replicate the affect on animals in penalties for criminals, and produce justice for victims.

Welcoming the introduction of the new offence, Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Christine Middlemiss said:

The recognition of the distress caused to animals by pet theft is an critical action forward, dealing with them as sentient beings fairly than basically assets.

The new offence should really make increased recognition of the significant impacts of pet theft on folks and animals, and reassure pet entrepreneurs that these crimes are currently being taken very seriously.

David Bowles, Head of Public Affairs at the RSPCA, mentioned:

The theft of a pet is devastating and we’re pleased the Government has announced these amendments which we hope will act as a true deterrent to those who carry out this crime. Though the recent proposed regulation applies to puppies, we are seriously happy to see the Government has also recognised how considerably other animals mean to individuals as well, and place in provision to lengthen it to other pets. We hope this new regulation, which will see sentences up to 5 decades, will enable crackdown on the coronary heart-breaking challenge of pet theft.

Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director at Puppies Trust, said:

Possessing your beloved pet stolen is an incredibly annoying, usually coronary heart-breaking expertise. For yrs, Dogs Have confidence in has known as for harsher penalties to deter people who earnings from this despicable criminal offense. We wholeheartedly welcome the steps the Authorities has taken right now to deal with pet theft and prioritise the welfare of our animals as sentient beings, and pretty significantly hope that the elevated sentencing will make pet intruders believe 2 times.

The RSPCA has warned the public about the possibility of intruders thieving beloved animals. Victims of this awful crime include things like French bulldog, Minnie, who was located poorly hurt and abandoned late at evening in Burnley. RSPCA officers scanned her microchip and discovered she belonged to a spouse and children who lived 170 miles absent in Gloucestershire. Minnie was reported as missing back in March 2020 right after getting taken from her owner’s garden. She is now back at home with her family members.

The law enforcement advises that pet dog house owners ought to keep away from leaving their pet unattended although out in community, differ their routines when walking their pet dogs and take primary safety actions at home these as checking locks on doorways and backyard garden gates.

The new measures sort portion of the dedication to improve the UK’s place as a world wide leader in animal welfare criteria. Given that 2010, the Authorities has brought in required microchipping for canine to aid reunite missing puppies with their homeowners, released added defense for provider animals as a result of ‘Finn’s Law’, and launched Lucy’s Regulation to deal with puppy farming by banning the business 3rd-get together income of puppies and kittens.

The Retained Animals Bill can be identified here.

Today’s announcement builds on the Uk Government’s dedication to revolutionise the treatment of animals in the British isles and introduce measures to shield the welfare of animals abroad, as established out in the Action Approach for Animal Welfare.