Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Dog Thefts

Thursday 22 April 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister met with Home Secretary and Lord Chancellor in March to discuss pet theft.
  • Government established a pet theft taskforce to develop solutions and gather data.
  • Bill increasing maximum penalty for animal cruelty nearing completion with high confidence of passing.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Clive Betts Lab Sheffield South East
Context

MP raised concerns about the impact of pet theft, citing discussions with Home Secretary and Lord Chancellor on this issue.

Question

What discussions has he had with the Home Secretary on reducing dog thefts?

Answer from George Eustice

I recently met the Home Secretary and the Lord Chancellor in March to discuss pet theft. Officials from across the three Departments have been tasked with developing solutions, and a pet theft taskforce has begun work drawing together available data and evidence.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific outcomes or commitments on reducing dog thefts were not provided

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Q2 Alex Cunningham Lab
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Cats Protection reported a threefold increase in cat theft since 2015. This issue causes significant distress to pet owners.

Question

Will the Secretary of State confirm that the Government will back my amendments to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which deal with pet theft and introduce tough sentences for those whose actions devastate so many families?

Answer from George Eustice

The Government acknowledges the increase in reports of pet theft, though from a relatively low base. They are reviewing this area of law and established a taskforce. Aggravated offences can already face up to seven years' imprisonment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific backing for amendments was not confirmed

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Q3 Clive Betts Lab Sheffield South East
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Theft of pets is seen as a different type of crime due to emotional distress caused to owners.

Question

Will the Secretary of State accept that this is a different sort of crime to normal theft, requiring specific and tougher penalties?

Answer from George Eustice

The current sentencing guidelines consider aggravated offences with emotional distress, allowing up to seven years' imprisonment. The taskforce is examining this issue further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific new penalties were not committed to

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Q4 Neil Parish Con
Crime & Law Enforcement Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

There is a need for tougher sentences in animal cruelty cases, including those involving pet theft.

Question

Can we have five-year sentencing for animal cruelty and link dog theft to the legislation in the next Parliament?

Answer from George Eustice

The bill increasing the maximum penalty for animal cruelty is nearing completion with a high degree of confidence it will pass before the end of the Session.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Linking dog theft to legislation was not confirmed

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