Dognappers could face up to five years in jail after rise in pet thefts

A new criminal offence to tackle dognapping and "crack down on the heart-breaking issue of pet theft" has moved a step closer.

Under government plans, people who steal a canine companion could face up to five years in jail if convicted of dog abduction.

The offence is being added to the Kept Animals Bill, which is currently making its way through the Commons, after a recommendation by the government's pet theft taskforce in September.

The taskforce, launched in May, looked into a reported rise in pet thefts during the pandemic. More than 2,000 such incidents were reported to the police in 2020.

Dognapping remains the biggest issue, with around seven in 10 incidents of pet theft recorded by police involving dogs, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The move has been welcomed by leaders from animal rights organisations.

Chief veterinary officer Dr Christine Middlemiss said it is "an important step forward" with dogs being treated "as sentient beings rather than merely property".

David Bowles, head of public affairs at the RSPCA, said that he hopes the offence will "act as a real deterrent to those who carry out this crime".

He added: "While the current proposed law applies to dogs, we are really pleased to see the government has also recognised how much other animals mean to people as well, and put in provision to extend it to other pets.

"We hope this new law, which will see sentences up to five years, will help crack down on the heart-breaking issue of pet theft."

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The new offence will consider the emotional distress caused to both the owner and the dog and help enable judges to give more targeted penalties and sentences for pet thieves, Defra said.

It added that a provision will also be made in the Bill to extend the offence to other pets in the future if evidence supports that.

Campaigners and MPs have been pushing for tougher penalties, stating that the current law does not reflect the emotional trauma of losing an animal.

In June, parliament debated proposals to make it easier to find stolen pets after more than half a million people signed a petition calling for a specific dog theft offence.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said: "The loss of a much-loved pet causes unique distress. I am pleased that we are legislating to recognise this specific crime.

"The new dog abduction offence will reflect the impact on animals in penalties for criminals, and deliver justice for victims."