A bill initiating dog theft as a new criminal offense in the Scottish Parliament has been passed.
The law presented by Conservative Member of Scottish Parliament (MSP), Maurice Golden now recognises stealing of a dog as illegal, creating a special criminal offence aimed at tackling low prosecution rates.
This will include a maximum of five years prison sentence and the possibility of an unlimited fine.
With 119 votes to two, the Scotland Dog Theft Bill was passed.
Reacting to the approval, MSP Golden said he was “thrilled” believing the legislation could “make a huge difference to dogs and to the many families across Scotland to whom they are so special”.
Recognising the need for protection of dogs and addressing dog theft, he said: “To this point, there simply wasn’t enough deterrence when it came to dog theft.
“This strengthening of the law will change that, and help police and other justice authorities clamp down on this disgraceful crime.
“Dogs are our best friends and deserve more – I hope this new law can help deliver that.”
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Community Safety minister Siobhian Brown acknowledged the mental stress that comes after a dog theft saying: “dog theft causes distress and can have a profound and devastating impact on victims”.
She said: “To lose a much-loved dog and to lose it to theft is horrendous.
“As a dog owner and a dog lover, I recognise the emotional benefits they bring to our lives.
“Dogs can lift our mood, provide companionship, and they are treated as members of the family.”
The move comes following a criminal offence of “pet abduction”, covering the theft of dogs and cats, came into effect in England and Northern Ireland last year.
However, unlike a new law on pet abduction introduced in England, Scotland’s does not cover cats.
Dog thefts increased during the Covid pandemic, with an estimate of 2,760 thefts in 2021.
In 2024, an estimate of 1,808 dogs were stolen across the UK with only one in five returned to its owner, according to Direct Line Pet Insurance.
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