In response to a rise in the number of dog thefts following the first lockdown, a new felony has been proposed: “Pet abduction.” The government organized a task force to study the problem after an increase in the number of reports of pet theft.
Pet theft became an organized criminal enterprise to take advantage of the increased demand for pets as people were driven to remain at home more due to the pandemic’s effects.
Ministers rejected the idea of including a new crime of pet theft in the existing theft statute after finding that animals should not be valued in the same way as property and that the present offence was inadequate to punish pet thieves.
According to reports, a new animal cruelty violation would involve heavier punishments for people who commit such crimes, recognizing the animals’ “sentience.”
For the sake of properly comprehending this heinous crime rather than making a tokenistic alteration in the statute,” we’ve been listening to charity, breeders, and police.”
If your pet is taken from you, it’s likely to be a very upsetting and frightening event for you as well as your pet.
In order to do this, a new crime will be created that will lead to stiffer punishments for pet thefts.
Animal rights advocates have a frequent complaint that those convicted of dog theft get just a small fine or a suspended sentence.
An amendment to existing law on police, crime, punishment, and courts is now being debated by legislators. Home Secretary Priti Patel described pet theft as “very horrible” in an interview recently.
The conclusions of the task force on pet theft, which comprises government officials, police, and advocacy groups, will be released in the next several weeks.
Additionally, the new offense is aimed at increasing convictions. According to the advocacy group Pet Theft Reform, just 1% of dog thefts have resulted in criminal prosecutions in the previous several years.
According to statistics from pet insurance firms, the number of reported dog thefts in the United Kingdom is predicted to grow by a fifth in 2020. DogLost, an organization that helps dog theft victims, reports that 172 dogs were taken in 2019 and 465 in 2020.
There is a substantial increase in pricing for popular dog breeds including spaniels and spaniels since the outbreak started.
According to the Dogs Trust, the value of some of the UK’s most sought-after breeds has increased by as much as 89% during the first shutdown.
Do not leave your dogs alone with them unattended, vary up your dog-walking schedule and check the locks on your yard gates or doors if you have one.
