Dogs Trust, the UK’s leading dog welfare charity, has welcomed the new Pet Abduction Act which comes into force this Saturday, 24th August.
From Saturday, anyone found guilty of stealing a dog in England or Northern Ireland will face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both. Previously, despite the very distressing nature of having a dog stolen, pet theft has not been a specific crime and has instead been treated in the same way as the theft of household items such as phones and bikes.
Under the new Pet Abduction Act, dogs and cats are no longer treated as inanimate objects but instead are recognised as sentient beings capable of experiencing emotional trauma when they are stolen from their owners.
Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director at Dogs Trust says: “We are delighted to see the Pet Abduction Act come into force, and that it recognises the emotional bond between dog and owner. For years, Dogs Trust has called for harsher penalties to deter those who profit from this despicable crime and to tackle the issue of pet theft here in the UK.
“Having your beloved pet stolen is an extremely stressful, heart-breaking experience. For most owners, pets are members of the family, and being separated from them, without knowing where they are, is devastating. However, despite the obvious emotional impact pet theft has on families and owners, until now it has been treated no differently to mobile phone or laptop theft.
“Along with this new law, there are other ways owners can reduce the chances of this despicable crime happening to you. Never leave your dog unattended, especially in a public area, and if you are walking them off lead, always keep them in sight. You should also be careful with what details you share online about your canine companions.
“Not only is it a legal requirement for your dog to wear a collar and ID tag in a public place and to be microchipped, these two simple steps will also help to get your dog home to you as quickly as possible if the worst does happen.”
To help owners reduce the risk of their dog being stolen, Dogs Trust has issued the following advice:
· Ensure your house and property boundaries are secure – keep your dog in and intruders out.
· If you leave your dog in the garden, make sure it is secure so that thieves cannot enter.
· Do you post pictures of your dog on social media? If so, regularly review your privacy settings and make sure your address can’t be identified from your posts.
· When exercising your dog, always keep them in sight and pay attention to what they are doing. If exercising your dog off lead, make sure they have good recall and come back to you when you call them, regardless of where they are.
· Never leave your dog unattended in a public place – even if it’s just for a minute.
· Likewise, never leave your dog alone in a car. As well as the risk of being stolen, they can also easily overheat, even if the weather is mild.
· Make sure your dog is searchable in case the worst should happen. Ensure your dog is wearing a tag with your name, phone number and address on it, and make sure your dog is microchipped. Let your database provider know if you move house or any of your contact details change, and keep up-to-date, clear photos of your dog, making sure to show any distinctive features.
If the worst does happen and your dog is stolen, you can feel helpless and have no idea where to start looking for them.
Dogs Trust suggests the following:
· Report the theft to the police straight away. Make sure you get a crime reference number and insist that your dog is recorded as stolen and not missing.
· Report the theft of your dog to your local authority dog warden.
· Notify your microchip database provider.
· Ask local rescue centres, animal charities and vet practices to keep an eye out for your dog.
· Monitor places thieves may try to sell your dog, like pet websites and notice boards. Notify the police immediately if you come across anything.
· Use missing and stolen animal websites such as DogLost which help to reunite missing pets with their owners by offering free advice and support.
For more information on preventing dog theft and what to do if your dog is stolen, please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/outdoors/dog-theft-advice
