In a significant move, the UK government has given its backing to a proposal aimed at making the theft of cats and dogs a distinct criminal offense in England and Northern Ireland. The bill, which introduces the offense of “pet abduction,” successfully passed its initial stage in the Commons without opposition on Friday.
According to the proposed legislation, individuals found guilty of pet abduction could face either a monetary fine or a maximum prison sentence of five years. The bill will now undergo further scrutiny from Members of Parliament (MPs) and peers, and with government support, there is an increased likelihood of it being enacted into law.
Presently, pets are considered property under the law, with the act of stealing a pet falling under the jurisdiction of the 1968 Theft Act, a legal framework also applicable in Scotland.
The government had previously pledged to criminalize dog abduction in 2021, yet no such legislation has been enacted. Measures aimed at addressing this issue were included in the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, which, unfortunately, was dropped by ministers in May 2023, drawing criticism from animal welfare campaigners.
The government had assured that the provisions of the Animal Welfare Bill would be implemented through alternative means, such as private members’ bills introduced by backbench MPs. This commitment was made following recommendations from a pet theft taskforce established in response to concerns about a surge in dog thefts during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Pet Abduction Bill, spearheaded by Conservative MP Anna Firth, seeks to address the low prosecution rates associated with pet theft, which Firth characterizes as a “low-risk, high-reward crime.” Firth expressed disbelief at the current legal treatment of the loss of a living creature, emphasizing that pets should not be regarded as mere possessions.
Campaigner Toni Clarke, who heads Pet Theft Awareness, recounted her experience of losing her Siamese cat, Clooney, in 2013. Clarke stressed the profound and traumatic impact of not knowing the fate of a missing pet, advocating for a change in the law to recognize pets as “valued living possessions” and calling for stricter penalties for pet theft.
A report from Pet Theft Awareness revealed a 40% increase in police-recorded cat thefts in 2021 compared to the previous year, with a more than fourfold rise since 2015. Clarke argued that the actual figures might be considerably higher, given the varying willingness of police forces to record cat thefts.
Annabel Berdy, senior advocacy officer at charity Cats Protection, emphasized the importance of extending any new criminal offense to cover cats, acknowledging the emotional value and attachment that owners have with their feline companions.
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow expressed the government’s support for the bill, emphasizing that pets are considered part of the family. She acknowledged the emotional impact of pet theft, describing it as a “callous crime” that should be met with justice.
While private members’ bills face challenges in becoming law, the endorsement of the bill by the government increases its chances of navigating the legislative process successfully. For the bill to become law, it would need to pass through all customary stages in the Commons and Lords before a general election is called.
