A North Wales Member of the Senedd will today lead a debate in the Senedd calling for the introduction of a new bill that would make abducting a pet a specific criminal offence in Wales.
Carolyn Thomas, Welsh Labour Member of the Senedd for the North Wales region, has been granted a debate on her legislative proposal, which seeks to bring Wales in line with legislation which already exists in England and Northern Ireland, with a similar bill also being proposed in Scotland.
Ms Thomas, who chairs the Senedd’s Cross Party Group on Animal Welfare, is hoping the proposal is supported by colleagues in the Senedd.
“When a pet is abducted, the knock-on effects are severe, both for the animal and for the owner,” she explained.
“Significant emotional distress is often coupled with a substantial financial cost in relation to searching for the stolen animal.
“Pets combat loneliness and provide loyal companionship, which is incredibly beneficial for mental health.
“The trauma caused when a pet is stolen can be irreversible.”
The proposal follows the submission of a Senedd petition which called for pet abduction to be made a specific criminal offence in Wales, which was signed by more than 1,200 people and was considered by the Senedd’s Petitions Committee.
Carolyn Thomas MS
Speaking about bringing Wales into line with England and Northern Ireland, Thomas said: “Pet abduction as a criminal offence has already been passed into law in England and Northern Ireland, so it is incumbent on us politicians in Wales to catch up and bring about a similar change to the law here.”
“Currently, the theft of a pet is covered under the 1968 Theft Act, but this means they are treated in the same way as an object, such as a stolen wallet. Pets have emotions and feelings, they suffer trauma.
“Making pet abduction a specific criminal offence means it can be prosecuted more appropriately, through up to five years imprisonment.
“It will also mean police forces will record pet theft separately, providing them with intelligence about animals and breeds which are most at risk, and the areas where they are being targeted.”
RSPCA Cymru have previously raised concerns that the lack of a similar criminalisation provision to England and Northern Ireland could lead to more pets being targeted for abduction in Wales.
Billie-Jade Thomas, Senior Public Affairs Manager as RSPCA Cymru said: “The theft of a pet is devastating for both owners and their animals, and the RSPCA has long called for tougher laws to act as a real deterrent to those who carry out this crime.
“For many, pets are members of the family and it just isn’t appropriate that stealing a much-loved cat or dog is currently treated the same in law as stealing a mobile phone or other non-sentient possessions.
“RSPCA Cymru are therefore fully supportive of the legislative proposal put forward by Carolyn Thomas MS and would welcome any opportunity to work with the Welsh Government and Members of the Senedd towards deterring and preventing the thefts of pets in Wales via legislation.”
As well as RSPCA Cymru, the proposal is also being backed by Cats Protection.
Madison Rogers, Associate Director of Advocacy, Campaigns & External Affairs at Cats Protection said: “For many of us, pets are part of our family and for them to be stolen without a trace is a horrendous experience.
“Some people may never find out what happened to their much-loved pet, which can bring unbearable distress.
“We hope pet theft will become a specific crime in Wales to deter criminals and give owners confidence that their pets are protected.”
The proposal will be debated in the Senedd today, Wednesday 8 January.
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