EVESHAM’S Dogs Trust has welcomed a change of legislation which makes pet theft a criminal offence.
From today (Saturday, August 24), anyone found guilty of stealing a dog or cat in England or Northern Ireland will face a fine or up to five years in prison after the Pet Abduction Bill was pushed through on the final day of the last Parliament.
Prior to this, pet theft has not been a specific crime and instead has been treated in the same way as theft of personal property such as phones and bikes.
Dogs Trust has long campaigned for harsher penalties to deter those who profit from this type of crime which has seen a worrying increase in recent years.
Its veterinary director, Paula Boyden, welcomed the new law.
She said: “We are delighted to see the Pet Abduction Act come into force, and that it recognises the emotional bond between dog and owner. Having your beloved pet stolen is an extremely stressful, heart-breaking experience.
“For most owners, pets are members of the family, and being separated from them, without knowing where they are, is devastating.”
She reminds dog owners to reduce the chances of getting their pet stolen by never leaving them unattended in a public area, and when walking them off lead, to always keep them in sight.
She also advised pet owners to be careful with what details they shared online about their canine companions.
The Dogs Trust is urging pet owners to ensure your house and property boundaries are secure, review their social media privacy settings so their addresses cannot be identified from posts and, when exercising dogs, make sure they have good recall, regardless where they are.
Owners should never leave their dog unattended in a public place – even momentarily – or in a car.
All dogs should also be wearing a tag with the owner’s contact details and be microchipped – these are both legal requirements.
See dogstrust.org.uk for more information on preventing dog theft and what to do if a dog is stolen.
