Specific Offence
Making pet theft a specific crime would give courts in England and Wales access to appropriate custodial sentences to act as a deterrent, provide appropriate punishment, and protect the public.
"Along with many others, I have been working for over 5 years to achieve this stunning success. For the first time in legal history, the law now acknowledges the special status of domestic animals and after centuries of treating them like property, grants them the status of sentient creatures, recognising their value to the millions of people who cherish them. Along with my work to bring about the Hunting Act to criminalise hunting, this is an equally seminal moment for the protection of animals"
- John Cooper QC
Why we need change
Dog theft crime continues to rise in the UK
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 Lab is the same as a stolen laptop.
Dogs are
stolen to be resold or bred
Some criminals see pet theft as a lucrative crime with minimal repercussions.
Only 1% of dog theft crimes prosecuted
If caught, the sentence for stealing pets is generally a small fine or suspended sentence.
We need your help to make real change.
"Pet Theft Reform is about family . With victims at the heart of the campaign, we recognise the importance of the human-animal bond, the devastating impact that animal abduction has on people and pets, and the need for pet abduction as a specific offence. Through evidence-based campaigning and collaboration, this cruel crime will be taken seriously." - Dr. Daniel Allen
