Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Pet Theft: Maximum Sentence

Tuesday 18 May 2021 · 2 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The theft of a much-loved pet can cause significant distress.
  • Discussions are underway to consider further action beyond current laws.
  • A taskforce has been established to address the issue of pet theft.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mark Harper Con
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The issue of increasing penalties for those who commit the crime of stealing pets, particularly dogs.

Question

What assessment has been made of the potential merits of increasing the maximum sentence for pet theft? The theft of a much-loved pet can cause significant distress, and there is a need to consider further action beyond current laws to deal with offenders committing such abhorrent crimes.

Answer from Robert Buckland

I recognise the deep distress that the theft of a much-loved pet can cause, which is why laws are already in place to deal with offenders who commit such abhorrent crimes. The Environment Secretary, the Home Secretary and I have had discussions to consider further action. A taskforce has been set up to investigate and tackle this issue from end to end, looking at prevention, reporting, enforcement and prosecution.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The assessment of the merits of increasing maximum sentences was not provided in specific terms.

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Q2 Mark Harper Con
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The newly elected police and crime commissioner in Gloucestershire, the Conservative Chris Nelson, made stopping pet theft one of his key election priorities.

Question

I welcome the setting up of the taskforce. What more can be done to ensure a deterrent effect so that fewer pets—dogs, particularly—are stolen? I ask this on behalf of my two rescue labradors, Sophie and Chase.

Answer from Robert Buckland

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend. We need to take a zero tolerance approach here in order to deal with wider criminality. This includes looking at the nature of the black market that exists and the rises we have seen with regard to the value of individual animals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific further actions were not detailed, focusing instead on a general approach.

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