June 2024
Dog theft was covered in our November 2022 blog and this month we are delighted that the Pet Abduction Bill has passed its final stage of its progress towards becoming law. This new law recognises that cats and dogs are not inanimate objects but sentient beings capable of experiencing distress and other emotional trauma when they are stolen from their owners or keepers. Dog thefts have increased in the UK and appallingly, only one in 6 are returned to their owners.
Pet Abduction Act 2024
Under the Pet Abduction Act 2024 – which was a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by Anna Firth MP and Lord Black of Brentwood and supported by the Government – anyone found guilty of stealing a pet in England or Northern Ireland will face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.
Evidence from the Pet Theft Taskforce suggests around 2,000 dog and over 400 cat theft crimes were reported to police in 2020, causing considerable distress for owners and their pets alike. In 2023, 2,290 dogs were stolen – a significant increase again. With an estimated 28% of UK adults owning a dog and 24% owning a cat, pet theft is still a major concern to the public.
Support for the Act builds upon wider action to protect pets from theft, including making the microchipping of cats compulsory from 10 June 2024. This makes it easier for lost, stray or stolen pets to be reunited with their owners and returned home safely.
The Bill is important because it removes pets from being in the same legal category as a mobile phone for instance. It recognises that dogs and cats are sentient beings capable of experiencing distress and other emotional trauma if they are stolen.
Dogs are our companions. We don’t know what happens to them when they are stolen making it more traumatic for the families. There is just no closure. Our pets are part of our families. They comfort us when we are down and give us a huge amount of laughter, energy and joy. They make a house a home. That is why it is so heart-breaking when any one of our beloved pets is snatched away from us, and it is also why the taking, abducting or detaining of someone else’s beloved pet is such a sick and cruel crime.
Mopsy and Scrappy reunited with their owners after being stolen in 2022
Protecting your dog from theft
There are simple steps to reduce the chance of your dog from being stolen:
Make sure your dog is microchipped and the details are correct and updated
Your dog must wear a collar and tag which shows contact details such as a surname and phone number NOT the dog’s name
Take photos of your dog at various angles and groomed/untidy. Note any unusual markings or features for identification
Ensure your boundary fence is secure. Front gardens are the most vulnerable
Provide an alarm or bell for outside kennels
Do not leave dogs tied up outside shops, even if only for a few minutes. Don’t leave them alone in vehicles
Be wary of strangers asking questions about your dog and vary the times and walking routes
If you need to uses dog boarding or walking services, be sure to check the references carefully to ensure they are genuine
If your dog is stolen, contact the police and microchip database straight away. Also, advertise on as many missing pet websites as possible. The first few hours are crucial to increase the chances of your dog being reunited
Bella stolen in 2022 and found shortly afterwards thanks to support from the public
As a nation of pet-lovers, it is vital that the law recognises the emotional impact that theft of a pet can have, and brings the perpetrators to justice that correctly reflects this.
To all the families whose dogs are still missing, do not give up hope and don’t hesitate to seek support to help you cope.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pet-abduction-bill-becomes-law
https://www.directlinegroup.co.uk/en/news/brand-news/2024/dog-theft-on-the-up-in-2023.html