We are a nation of animal lovers and during lockdown, pets have been a source of comfort and companionship. As reported recently, over the last year Watford has recorded a 152% increase in dog ownership and figures have increased in every corner of the UK.
This national increase has sadly resulted in pet theft also soaring. Hertfordshire Constabulary reported last week that whilst thefts in Hertfordshire have remained relatively low, across the country there is growing concern.
Whilst there are practical steps that owners can take, and micro chipping of dogs is a legal requirement, these heartless criminals remove the microchips so that these much-loved pets cannot be traced, leaving owners in limbo and heartbroken at the loss of a family member.
As the Prime Minister wrote recently “If you are cynical and nasty enough to steal a dog…then you will almost certainly be party to other types of crime as well” so we must take swift and robust action.
This is why I fully support the aim of the Justice Department, which has teamed up with the Home Office and DEFRA, to launch a new Pet Theft taskforce which will gather evidence to understand the factors contributing to this rise in theft and to recommend any necessary measures to tackle the problem following claims that the current law is ineffective.
Stealing a pet is already a criminal offence under the Theft Act 1968, with offenders facing up to seven years in prison. If the animal suffers during the theft, criminals are further liable to prosecution for offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and could face an increased penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment from this summer.
The taskforce will work with operational partners such as the police and ask for input from animal welfare groups and experts in relevant fields. The plans are part of the Government’s commitment to tackle crime and the impacts of crime and to further strengthen the UK’s position as a global leader in animal welfare.
For more information on how to keep your pet safe, please visit: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/theft
