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This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament

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Petition Make pet abduction a specific criminal offence

Pets are family. Their abduction a traumatic experience. Despite this, stolen pets are regarded as personal property, with sentences dependent on monetary value. The Government should recognise the emotional & welfare impacts this crime has on people & pets by introducing a 'pet abduction' offence.

More details

Pet Theft Reform has been campaigning to make pet theft a specific offence with access to appropriate custodial sentences since 2018. Four petitions in four years - each triggered parliamentary debates, with a total of 684,970 signatures.

Following a recommendation from the Pet Theft Taskforce, the Government added pet abduction ("taking of pets") to the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill in November 2021.

The Government dropped the Kept Animals Bill in May 2023.

This petition is closed This petition ran for 6 months

49,593 signatures

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100,000 signatures required to be considered for a debate in Parliament

Government responded

This response was given on 4 September 2023

Whilst the theft of pets is already a crime, we would be supportive of legislation on pet abduction when parliamentary time allows.

Read the response in full

We understand the devastating impact that the theft of a pet can have. While stealing a pet is already an offence, we have listened carefully to views expressed on pet abduction. That is why we would be supportive of legislating on pet abduction as a single-issue Bill in the next Parliamentary session.

Microchipping of cats will be compulsory from 10 June 2024, in addition to dogs. Registration on a compliant database will also be required, as set out in the regulations. This is intended to increase the likelihood of reuniting stolen or lost pets with their owners/keepers.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

MPs ask Government for an update on plans to introduce a specific offence of pet abduction

The Petitions Committee, the group of MPs who consider parliamentary e-petitions, has written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to request an update on the Government’s plans to make pet theft a specific criminal offence.

The Government included plans to make pet theft an offence in the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, which was withdrawn in June 2023. The Minister of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said that the Government would take forward measures in the Bill separately during the remainder of the Parliament.

However, legislation to make pet theft an offence has not yet been introduced, and was not included in the 2023 King’s Speech, which set out the Government’s legislative programme for the remainder of this Parliament.

The Committee has asked for an update on the Government's plans by Wednesday 6 December. We’ll share the Government's response with you when we receive this.

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Government provides update on plans to make pet theft a specific criminal offence

The Government has responded to the Petitions Committee's request for an update on when the Government intends to introduce legislation to make pet theft a specific criminal offence.

In his reply, Minister for Biosecurity, Animal Health and Welfare Robbie Douglas-Miller MP highlights the introduction of the Pet Abduction Bill on December 6, and says that the Government will set out its formal position on the Bill when it receives its second reading, which is due to take place on Friday 19 January.

The Pet Abduction Bill, which is a Private Member's Bill introduced by Anna Firth MP, would create offences of dog abduction and cat abduction and give ministers power to make similar provisions for the abduction of other animals commonly kept as pets.

What is a Private Member's Bill?

Private Members' Bills are Bills introduced by MPs who are not government ministers. They can be about any topic, but the main purpose can’t be to create a new tax or increase Government spending. Private Members' Bills must go through the same stages of consideration by Parliament before they can become law.

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MPs debate the Pet Abduction Bill

MPs debated the Pet Abduction Bill on Friday 19 January in the main chamber of the House of Commons. This was a Second Reading debate, where MPs debated the general principles of the Bill. The Government said that it supported the Bill, and MPs agreed that the Bill should progress.

The Bill includes provisions to create specific offences of dog and cat abduction, and would give the Government powers to make similar provisions relating to the abduction of other animals commonly kept as pets.

You can read more about the measures included in the Bill in this House of Commons Library Research Briefing.

What is a Second Reading?

Second Reading is the first opportunity for MPs to debate the main principles of a Bill.

At the end of the debate, the Commons decide whether the Bill should be given its Second Reading, meaning it can proceed to the next stage. If there isn't consensus that a Bill should proceed to its next stage, MPs will vote on this.

Find out more about how Second Reading works.

What happens next?

Having passed Second Reading, MPs will now consider the Bill in detail, and can suggest amendments (proposals for change) to the Bill.

Read more about the bill and keep up to date with its progress.

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Pet abduction bill agreed by MPs

The Pet Abduction Bill was approved by MPs in the House of Commons on Friday 19 April. It will now go to the House of Lords who also have to agree to it before it becomes law.

What will the bill do?

The Bill would make dog and cat theft a specific criminal offence in England and Northern Ireland. People found guilty of the offence could be given up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.

You can read more about what the Bill would do in this House of Commons Library Research Briefing.

What happens next?

Having passed the House of Commons it will now go to the House of Lords. If the House of Lords make any changes to it, it will go back to the House of Commons who will decide if they agree with the changes.

When both Houses agree the final text of the Bill, it will go to the King to receive Royal Assent. This means it becomes a law and is called an 'Act'.

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Parliament approves new laws on pet abduction

On May 25, the Pet Abduction Act passed into law, creating two new criminal offences of dog abduction and cat abduction in England and Northern Ireland. The offences will have a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a fine, or both. The Act also provides powers to extend the legislation to cover other pets if necessary.

Before the Act was passed, there was no legislation aimed at addressing pet theft specifically. Animals fell under the definition of property in legislation, and as such pet theft was dealt with under the Theft Act 1968. Under the new Act, there would be no need to prove that the intention was to ‘permanently deprive’ someone of their pet.

Read more about the new law in the House of Commons Library briefing.

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