Pet theft sentencing guidelines to be considered for Parliament debate

Do you think the law on pet theft should be changed?

Calls to create a specific crime for stealing a pet are to be considered for a debate in Parliament.

An online petition to change the law and possibly allow for harsher sentences has now passed 100,000 signatures – the threshold for automatic consideration for debate.

Let us know what you think in our online poll.

Dr Daniel Allen, who started the petition, said: “We have reached our 100,000 target!

“Every signature and every share made this happen.

“#PetTheftReform is one step closer. Thank you.”

Theft of a pet is currently dealt with under the Theft Act 1968, with the monetary value of a pet affecting the sentencing.

Britain experiences steep rise in pet theft

The text of the petition said: “Reclassify the theft of a pet to a specific crime in its own right.

“Review the sentencing guidelines for theft offences, so that where the theft of a family pet is involved, monetary value is irrelevant for the categorisation of the crime for sentencing purposes.

“Ensure Police Forces are given appropriate guidance and training to record and investigate cases.”