Abducting Pets Is a Criminal Offence After New Bill Passes Into Law

A cat in Canterbury, England, on March 2, 2021. PA

It is now a criminal offence to steal a dog or cat after the Pet Abduction Bill received Royal Assent on Friday.

Under the new act, anyone found guilty of stealing the household pets in England or Northern Ireland will face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.

“As a nation of pet-lovers, it is vital that the law recognises the emotional impact the theft of a pet can have and brings the perpetrators to justice in a way that correctly reflects this,” said Anna Firth MP, sponsor of the Private Members’ Bill that preceded the new act, in a statement.

The new law recognises that dogs and cats are not inanimate objects but sentient beings capable of experiencing distress and other emotional trauma when they are stolen from their owners.

The decision was welcomed by animal rights groups.

Lorraine Platt, co-founder of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, said in a statement that she was “delighted” that the bill had passed its remaining stages.

“Our pets are members of the family, often providing much-needed companionship and stability throughout our lives,” said Ms. Platt.

David Bowles, head of public affairs at the RSPCA, said in an emailed statement on Friday, “The theft of a pet is devastating and for a long time we have needed tougher laws to act as a real deterrent to those who carry out this crime.”

“Thankfully, this bill will change that and give more animals the recognition they deserve, which is so important as we seek to inspire everyone to create a better world for every animal,” Mr. Bowles said.

In its last parliamentary reading, Ben Everitt MP said the proposed bill is necessary to “fill a gap that has existed in law for far too long.”

Prior to the Pet Abduction Act 2024, pet theft was covered by the 1968 Theft Act and was handed by authorities in the same way as stolen property, such as a laptop or mobile phone.

Plans Resurrected

Plans to combat pet theft were sidelined by the UK government last year when it shelved the Kept Animals Bill.

However, Ms. Firth resurrected the issue as part of a Private Members’ Bill which was pushed through ahead of the dissolution of Parliament on Thursday.

During the bill’s third reading in the House of Commons, Ms. Firth said, “This bill will send a signal that we take animal welfare seriously in the UK.”

“I look forward to the House sending a clear message that the abhorrent crime of pet abduction will not be tolerated and needs to come to an end; pets are so much more than just a piece of personal property.

“Pets need to be recognised in law for the sentient beings they are … This bill is the opportunity to do that,” she said.

It is estimated in the UK that 28 percent of the adult population owns a dog, with 24 percent owning a cat.

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 both owners and their pets.

Support for the act builds upon wider action to protect pets from theft, including making the microchipping of cats compulsory from June 10, making it easier to identify lost animals.

Calls were made three years ago for tougher laws following a surge in so-called dognappings during lockdowns in the UK.

According to a 2021 government report into pet abductions, seven in ten of the animal thefts recorded were of dogs.

“The price of some breeds increased by as much as 89 [percent] over lockdown as people spent more time at home, potentially making dog theft more appealing to criminals looking to profit from the spike in public interest in owning a pet,” said the report.