This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament
Rejected petition Commit to bringing in a law recognising dog sentience
Now we are no longer part of Europe the EU sentience framework for animals is now non existent in the uk. We need to have our own legislation, undermining the Government's pledge for high animal welfare standards post Brexit and recognising dogs are sentient beings
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Determining sentencing for dog theft should take into account not only the effects on the family but on the dogs feelings and wellbeing. They feel pain and emotions as they are sentinel being not an inanimate object so animal welfare is being harmed from the day they are stolen from there home
This petition was rejected
Why was this petition rejected?
It’s not clear what the petition is asking the UK Government or Parliament to do.
Petitions need to call on the Government or Parliament to take a specific action.
We understand that you want dogs to be recognised as sentient, but we're not sure exactly what you'd like the Government or Parliament to do.
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 already makes owners and keepers responsible for ensuring that the welfare needs of their animals are met: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/animal-welfare
You could start a new petition explaining clearly what you would like the Government or Parliament to do.
We have published the following petitions, which you might like to sign:
Create a public register of people banned from keeping animals in the UK: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/573147
Implement an Animal Bill of Rights protecting all species of animals: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/561124
Increase sentences for all animal cruelty offences: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/565404
Increase minimum and maximum sentences for pet theft: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/563711
We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.