Why do we need Pet Theft Reform?
Dog theft crime in the UK has been rising
The impact on the growing number of victims is devastating.
Driven by organised
crime
Some criminals see pet theft as a lucrative crime with minimal repercussions.
Under the
Theft Act
1968
Pets are classified as property - a stolen Labrador is the same as a stolen laptop.
Dogs are
stolen to be resold or bred
The wellbeing and welfare of abducted pets is not being taken into account.
Only 1% of dog theft crimes prosecuted
If caught, the sentence for stealing pets is generally a small fine or suspended sentence.
The history of our campaign
The Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance (Sampa) have been lobbying to make pet theft a specific offence since their launch in 2014. The aim: to access appropriate prison sentences; ensure sentencing is not informed by the monetary value of stolen pets; and recognise the emotional and welfare impacts of this crime on people and pets. Pet Theft Reform was launched in 2018 to amplify these aims as a standalone evidence-based campaign.
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Pet Theft Reform have campaigned for various routes to reform. Dr Daniel Allen's three government Pet Theft Reform petitions passed 100,000 signatures in three consecutive years (2018; 2019; 2020);​ and an independent government petition to 'Make dog theft a specific criminal offence' passed 300,000 signatures in 2021. ​Dr Allen's final petition (2023) reached 49,593 signatures.
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The Pet Abduction Act came into effect in England and Northern Ireland on 24 August 2024. The Welsh government chose not to go forward with these measures. The proposed Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill was introduced on 17 February 2025 and is at Stage 1.
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New law
Pet Abduction Act 2024
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April 2024: Anna Firth MP introduces the Pet Abduction Bill in the House of Commons on 6 December 2023, guiding it through the final stages on 19 April 2024.
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May 2024: Lord Black of Brentwood introduces the Pet Abduction Bill in the House of Lords on 22 April 2024, with second reading on 10 May 2024
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May 2024: On 20 May 2024, the Stormont Assembly endorsed a Legislative Consent Motion to extend the Pet Abduction Bill to Northern Ireland, making the abduction of cats and dogs a criminal offence.
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May 2024: The Pet Abduction Bill passed through the final stages of the House of Lords on 24 May 2024, gaining Royal Assent the same day.
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August 2024: The Pet Abduction Act is law in England and Northern Ireland coming into effect in August 2024.
New offence included
Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill
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November 2021: The Government announces a new 'dog abduction' offence ("taking of pets") will be added to the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill.
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May 2022: Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill carried over from 2021-2022 session.
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December 2022: Government petition calling to 'Find the time to take the Kept Animals Bill through Parliament and make it law' passed 100,000 signatures and was debated in Parliament.
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March 2023: Over 10,000 emails were sent to MPs asking them to meet with Cats Protection and campaigners calling for cats to be included in the proposed pet abduction offence. Over 50 MPs attended the MP drop-in event.
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April 2023: Over 20,000 people signed and shared Battersea's email action to the Prime Minister urging him to bring back the Kept Animals Bill. You can add your support here.
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May 2024: The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill (2021) was dropped by the government.
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New offence announced
'pet abduction'
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May 2021: the Government announces a Pet Theft Taskforce had been launched to investigate reported rise in pet thefts.
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September 2021: Following the recommendation of the Pet Theft Taskforce, the Government announces 'pet abduction' to be made into new criminal offence.
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Our Progress in 2022
October 27
2022
Pet Industry Federation shortlist Dr Daniel Allen as finalist for Special Achievement (Pet Professional) Award for work on Pet Theft Reform.
October 24
2022
Proposals to make dog abduction a specific crime in Scotland launched at the Scottish Parliament.
September 3
2022
Dr Daniel Allen and Debbie Matthews attend Points of Light reception at 10 Downing Street
May 11
2022
Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill carried over from Session 2021-22.
March 23
2022
Your UK Parliament Awards 'highly commends' Pet Theft Reform in the Petition Campaign of the Year 2022 Award category.
March 14
2022
Dr Daniel Allen receives 'Points of Light award' from PM for voluntary work on Pet Theft Reform.
January 31
2022
Debbie Matthews receives 'Points of Lights award' from PM for voluntary work as Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance (Sampa)
May 11
2022
Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill carried over from Session 2021-22.
March 23
2022
Your UK Parliament Awards 'highly commends' Pet Theft Reform in the Petition Campaign of the Year 2022 Award category.
March 14
2022
Dr Daniel Allen receives 'Points of Light award' from PM for voluntary work on Pet Theft Reform.
January 31
2022
Debbie Matthews receives 'Points of Lights award' from PM for voluntary work as Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance (Sampa)
Our Progress in 2021
November 18
2021
Government announces 'New offence to tackle dog theft moves step closer'
September 3
2021
Government announces 'Pet abduction to be made new criminal offence in crackdown on pet theft'
June 25
2021
Sir Iain Duncan Smith makes three amendments regarding the issue of Pet Theft in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill
May 8
2021
Government announces 'Pet Theft Taskforce launched to investigate reported rise in pet thefts' (withdrawn November 17 2021).
February 12
2021
Home Secretary Priti Patel MP tells LBC Radio she is 'looking at' tougher pet theft measures.
February 10
2021
National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) press release, 'Police encourage dog owners to take extra precautions'.
February 10
2021
Tom Hunt MP and Siobhan Baillie MP sent an open letter to the Sentencing Council asking them to amend the sentencing guidelines for pet theft.
February 9
2021
Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP tells LBC Radio he wants to 'Make Pet Theft A Specific Criminal Offence'.
October 19
2020
Pet Theft Reform Parlimentary Debate
A debate was held in Westminster Hall at 4.30pm on Monday 19th October 2020 on two e-petitions concerning pet theft reform. Debate chaired by Sir David Amess MP and opened by Tom Hunt MP - full transcript here. Click this link for the Commons Library debate pack.
Our Progress in 2020
September 4
2020
The Government petition to make pet theft a crime closed with 143,633 signatures. A massive massive goal reached to help our cause move forward
June 3
2020
Pet Theft Reform Discussion with Petitions Committee
On 3 June, Petitions Committee member Tom Hunt MP held a video call with Dr Daniel Allen, an animal geographer who started a petition calling for tighter laws on pet theft, and other campaigners on this issue. The petition was due to be debated in Parliament before Westminster Hall sittings, where petitions debates are held, had to be suspended due to social distancing rules.
Our Progress in 2019
September 13
2019
Government petition closed with 117,453 signatures.
September 13
2019
Government petition closed with 117,453 signatures.
February 26
2019
Our Progress in 2018
September 11
2018
Debbie Matthews, Jayne Hayes, Gareth Johnson MP, Dr Daniel Allen, Ross Thomson MP, Professor John Cooper QC and Richard Jordan deliver the Pet Theft Reform petition to 10 Downing Street.
August 8
2018
Government petition closed with 107,352 signatures.
July 3
2018
Ten Minute Rule Bill, 'Pets (Theft) Bill'. Sponsored by Ross Thomson MP, drafted by Professor John Cooper QC.
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Click this link for more information on the Pets (Theft) Bill 2017-2019.
July 2
2018
Dr Daniel Allen's petition to 'Reclassify the theft of a pet to a specific crime in its own right' gained 107,352 signatures. The debate, chaired by Mike Hill MP, took place on Monday 2 July 2018 at 4.30pm. The full debate video, transcript and research are available here.
July 2, 2018
Pet Theft Reform team and supporters at Westminster Hall. Gareth Johnson MP sponsored the MP drop-in, this was followed by the House of Commons petitions committee debate.
July 2, 2018
Pet Theft Reform team and supporters at Westminster Hall. Gareth Johnson MP sponsored the MP drop-in, this was followed by the House of Commons petitions committee debate.
