London, 24th August 2024
Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) is delighted to welcome the new Pet Abduction Act coming into force today, 24th August 2024. The Act was introduced as a Private Members Bill by CAWF Patron and former Conservative MP, Anna Firth, and steered by Lord Black through the House of Lords marking a significant milestone in the protection of pets across the United Kingdom.
From today, the Pet Abduction Act makes the abduction of dogs and cats a specific criminal offence. This new legislation also addresses the growing problem of pet theft and delivers part of Defra’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare (2021).
Previously, there was little under the law to deter criminals who would seek to profit from the sale of a stolen pet, and therefore the theft of a beloved pet cat or dog was treated no more severely than that of a mobile phone. The new law recognises that cats and dogs are not inanimate objects but sentient beings capable of experiencing distress and other emotional trauma when they are stolen from their owners or keepers.
Evidence from the Pet Theft Taskforce suggests around 2,000 dog and over 400 cat theft crimes were reported to police in 2020, causing considerable distress for owners and their pets alike. With an estimated 28% of UK adults owning a dog and 24% owning a cat, pet theft is a major concern to the public.
Anna Firth, CAWF Patron, said: “The Pet Abduction Act was the culmination of months of work from me and colleagues in Parliament and years of work before that from so many people, it is long overdue.
Stealing a pet is not the same as stealing an iPhone or a hedge trimmer, pets are part of the family and their theft causes far greater heartbreak and trauma. It is absolutely right that the law should reflect this and that is what my Act does.
I am absolutely delighted that the new law comes into force today, offering greater protections to our pets and deterring those seeking to profit off the suffering of a stolen pet. I hope we now see the increasing numbers of dog and cat thefts start to come down.”
Lorraine Platt, Co-Founder of Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, commented: “Our pets are cherished members of our families. The theft of a beloved pet inflicts immense distress and heartache, far beyond the loss of mere property. We are pleased that the new Pet Abduction Act enforced today recognises this, and will help deter those would seek to profit from this cruel and heartless crime.”
