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This LedEx article will aim to explain the new pet abduction criminal offence introduced in the UK. It will explain what the legislation will mean for pet owners, as well as its challenges and concerns.

Introduction

A new criminal offence has come into effect this summer to address pet-smuggling. The Pet Abduction Act 2024 has come as a relief to hundreds of pet owners who have feared the growing numbers of cat and dog thefts since the pandemic, with, according to Direct Line Pet Insurance research, an average of six animals a day being stolen in 2023.

Prior to the enforcement of the Pet Abduction Act, the abduction of pets was still a crime but was considered under the same law as the theft of property, the Theft Act 1968. This meant that a person stealing goods from a shop for example would be charged with the same offence as someone abducting a dog.

Following campaigning from animal rights charities, the Bill passed through Parliament, and the abduction of animals is now considered a separate offence which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine, or both. This is significant as the law now recognises pets separately from our inanimate possessions.

Effect of the new legislation

So what does this mean for pet owners? As a result of the bill, pet owners can enjoy an increased level of protection for their pets, acting as a stark warning to wrongdoers that this is a crime that will be taken seriously by police and carries hefty punishment.

The public awareness of the crime is also likely to be increased. Prior to the creation of pet abduction as its own crime, all thefts were recorded under one crime statistic meaning that the true numbers of pet abductions are often not known. With more accurate statistics and data, police, owners and other groups can fully understand the extent of the crime and the areas and breeds most susceptible to it and use this information to keep your pets safe.

This legislation change comes alongside the new Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023 which held that cats were added to the list of animals that require mandatory microchipping (even for indoor cats). Both the Pet Abduction Act 2024 and the Microchipping Regulations 2023 hope to ensure the safety of pets and reduce the large numbers of pet thefts being reported to police.

This legislation is currently only applicable in England and Northern Ireland as animal welfare is a devolved matter, meaning it is up to the national parliaments of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to implement the legislation.

Image: by **Priscilla Du Preez** via **Unsplash**

Criticism, challenges, and concerns

The Pet Abduction Act has not been without its critics and challenges however. An amendment suggested by MP Sir Christopher Chope when the bill was being debated in Parliament asked MPs to consider whether the new bill should only be applicable to dogs to begin with. He argued that the nature of cats and dogs differ and the aim of the legislation should be primarily to tackle dog abductions. He also said that the change of law regarding cat microchipping should be implemented first and then perhaps cats could be included at a letter stage once the government can identify that the laws regarding microchipping are working. This was ultimately rejected by MPs.

The public response has also been mixed with some questioning why this particular issue is a priority for the government, especially in Northern Ireland where political difficulties have meant that the Parliament was not sitting for over 2 years, leading to a backlog of issues to be debated. However, research by Pet Theft Taskforce UK highlights the number of pet related crimes and points out that an estimated 28% of UK adults own a dog and 24% own a cat, suggesting that a large proportion of the priority considers this a major concern.

Some concerns regarding the effects of the bill on those who regularly feed stray cats or engage with neighbourhood cats were addressed by Northern Ireland’s agriculture minister Andrew Muir. He said, “the bill is only intended to deal with unscrupulous people who abduct a dog or cat… It does not intend to criminalise genuinely kind behaviour to cats and dogs that people do not own."

The response from animal welfare charities has been overwhelmingly positive. The RSPCA awarded former MP Anna Firth with their PawPrints award for her contributions to the act and Cats Protection representative Annabel Berdy said:

“This new law will for the first time recognise the on-going pain and stress suffered by stolen animals and their owners. For many of us, pets are part of our family and for them to be stolen without a trace is a horrendous experience. Some people may never find out what happened to their much-loved pet, which can bring unbearable distress. We hope this new law will deter criminals and give owners confidence that their pets are protected.”

Image: by **Eric Ward** via **Unsplash**

Conclusion

The Pet Abduction Act 2024 marks a significant step forward in protecting pets from theft. By recognizing pet abduction as a distinct criminal offense, the law provides stronger legal protections for pet owners and raises public awareness of this growing problem. As the law is implemented across the UK, it will play a crucial role in safeguarding beloved pets and ensuring their well-being. You should now have an understanding of what the new legislation is, what its effects are, and the concerns and criticisms surrounding its implementation.

Written by Amelia Darby

Glossary Box

Devolved - devolution describes the transferring of powers from one party to another, such as from a central government to a local one.

Leducate Explains: The Pet Abduction Act 2024