Pet abduction law closer

Published date20 April 2024
Publication titleHuddersfield Daily Examiner
The Pet Abduction Bill, which would apply in England and Northern Ireland, creates two new offences and will now be sent to the House of Lords for further consideration

Animals are regarded as property under existing theft legislation, with campaigners arguing for the emotional value of pets to be recognised and the distress caused if they are stolen.

The Bill would make it an offence to take a cat or dog from the lawful control of another person, with offenders facing a maximum prison sentence of five years.

Conservative MP Anna Firth (Southend West), the Bill's sponsor, told the Commons: "We are showing by our actions that cats and dogs are not just items, and that abducting them causes real distress to families and to individuals."

Conservative MP Ben Everitt (Milton Keynes North) said...

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