Pet thieves could be sentenced to up to five years in prison under new law in the UK | Crime

Animal rights activists have welcomed a law that came into force yesterday making it a criminal offence to steal a cat or to take or lock up a dog in England and Northern Ireland.

Under the Pet Abduction Act 2024, anyone found guilty of stealing a cat or dog could face a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine.

The bill was sponsored by Anna Firth, Conservative MP for Southend West and Leigh until she lost her seat in July, and was one of the last pieces of legislation passed before the general election.

In recent years, pet kidnapping has become a growing problem in the UK, with dogs being the most common type of pet stolen. According to research by Direct Line Pet Insurance, 2,290 dogs were reported stolen in 2023, which equates to six animals per day.

But until now, kidnapping a pet was considered theft of property and legal action fell under the Theft Act 1968. Paula Boyden, veterinary director at Dogs Trust, said such a classification ignored the fact that kidnapping a pet is often “stressful and heartbreaking”.

“For most owners, a pet is a member of the family and being separated from them without knowing where they are is devastating. Despite the obvious emotional impact that the theft of a pet has on families and owners, it has previously been treated no differently than the theft of a mobile phone or laptop.”

Activists have been pushing for tougher measures against pet theft for years. They say the new law finally takes into account the emotional toll the crime has on victims and targets criminals who have previously had free rein to steal beloved animals for their own gain.

The bill specifically refers to dogs and cats, but states that there are corresponding provisions for “the abduction of other animals commonly kept as pets”.

A major factor in the rise in pet thefts was people's desire for companionship during Covid lockdowns. The additional demand created by the pandemic provided criminals and gangs with opportunities to profit from the illegal breeding and keeping of cats and dogs, as well as from pet theft.

“By recording it [pet theft] as a specific crime, we can now identify the animals and breeds most at risk, as well as the areas where pets are being targeted,” said Annabel Berdy, senior advocacy and government relations officer at leading charity Cats Protection. “The illegal trade in stolen pets has been allowed to flourish for too long, and this new law will finally help us stamp it out once and for all.”

Boyden stressed that it is important that owners of pets, especially dogs, continue to protect their animals from abduction. “Never leave your dog unattended, especially in a public area,” she said, “and if you let him run off-leash, always keep an eye on him.”

“You should also be careful about what details you share about your four-legged companion online.”