In a landmark move for animal welfare, England and Northern Ireland are set to introduce a new criminal offence of “pet abduction” come August, following the swift passage of legislation on the final day of Parliament. However, the anticipated laws addressing puppy smuggling and dog attacks on livestock have unfortunately fallen by the wayside due to time constraints, leaving animal welfare groups to rally for action under the next government.
The Pet Abduction Bill, poised to receive Royal Assent imminently, will mark a pivotal shift in legal protection for our beloved companions. Under its provisions, the act of taking a cat or detaining a dog without lawful authority will constitute a criminal offence, carrying penalties of fines or a maximum of five years’ imprisonment upon conviction.
This groundbreaking legislation signifies a departure from the current legal framework, which views pets merely as property, with theft falling under the purview of the 1968 Theft Act, a stance echoed in Scottish law. Proponents of the new offence emphasize its crucial role in acknowledging the profound emotional toll inflicted by pet theft, while also providing a clearer understanding of the extent of this pervasive issue.
Annabel Berdy, Senior Advocacy and Government Relations Officer for Cats Protection, lauds the impending legislation as a long-overdue measure to curb the exploitation of cherished animals for illicit gain. She underscores the transformative impact of the Pet Abduction law, heralding it as one of the most significant advancements in animal welfare in recent memory, poised to safeguard countless owners and their beloved pets from the scourge of theft and exploitation.
Animal welfare advocates are expressing dismay over the loss of momentum for two crucial bills in the current Parliament. One such bill, spearheaded by Conservative MP Selaine Saxby, aimed to address the welfare of imported puppies by raising the minimum age at which they can enter the country. This initiative, among others, has fallen victim to time constraints, leaving advocates concerned about ongoing exploitation within the pet trade.
Harriet Main, the RSPCA’s public affairs manager, highlights the persistent exploitation enabled by legal loopholes, emphasizing the urgent need for legislative action to safeguard vulnerable animals. With a resolve to keep the issue at the forefront, the charity vows to petition the incoming UK government to prioritize animal welfare reforms.
Meanwhile, former Environment Secretary Therese Coffey’s proposed legislation, designed to empower law enforcement in prosecuting dog owners responsible for attacks on farm animals, faces a similar fate. Despite existing laws against “livestock worrying,” including behaviors like barking, chasing, biting, and killing, convictions remain challenging to secure. Phil Stocker, chief executive of the National Sheep Association, expresses disappointment over the setback but remains hopeful that it signals only a temporary delay rather than a complete abandonment of efforts. He underscores bipartisan recognition of the pressing need to mitigate the harm inflicted by domestic dogs on livestock, suggesting that both Labour and Conservative parties share common ground on this critical issue.