After a spate of pet thefts in the last year, dognappers may face up to five years imprisonment under new laws

  • Plans call for the specific offence of dognapping to be made so that dogsappers can spend five years in prison
  • Ministers plan to include dognapping in the Animal Welfare Bill (Kept Animals).
  • These thefts are just a few of the more than 2,000 reported to police in last year










A plan to make it a punishable offence could see criminals who take dogs into prison for up to five years.

After a recommendation of the pet-theft task force, Ministers will add dognapping the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill to their second reading.

After more than 2000 thefts reported to police in the last year, this group was established.

Dognappers and other pet thieves could be jailed for up to five years under plans to create a new criminal offence (stock image)

Under plans to make a new crime, dognappers or other pet thieves may be sentenced to up to five year imprisonment (stock photo).

Paula Boyden, of the charity Dogs Trust, said: ‘Having your beloved pet stolen is an extremely stressful, often heart-breaking experience. 

Dogs Trust has been calling for tougher punishments to discourage those profiting from this heinous crime for years. We very much hope that the increased sentencing will make pet thieves think twice.’

According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, seven of ten animals-related crimes were committed by dog thieves.

This new offense would consider the emotional distress that the dog and owner caused. 

If evidence is in support, there will be an option in the Bill that allows for future inclusion of other pets.

The UK’s Chief Vet, Dr Christine Middlemiss, said it was ‘an important step’ with dogs being treated ‘as sentient beings rather than merely property’. 

‘It would also ‘reassure pet owners that these crimes are being taken seriously’.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “The loss of a much-loved pet causes unique distress. It is an unfortunate crime, and I’m glad that legislation has been passed to address it.

“The new dog abduction offence will reflect the impact on animals in penalties for criminals, and deliver justice for victims.”

David Bowles, head of public affairs at the RSPCA, said pet theft is “devastating” for owners, adding that he hopes the offence will “act as a real deterrent to those who carry out this crime”.

He added: “While the current proposed law applies to dogs, we are really pleased to see the Government has also recognised how much other animals mean to people as well, and put in provision to extend it to other pets.

“We hope this new law, which will see sentences up to five years, will help crack down on the heart-breaking issue of pet theft.”

Advertisement