What is #PetTheftReform?

A change in the law is necessary to deliver justice for victims of pet theft, and TO Work as a detERRANT.

This PET (THEFT) Bill will create a new, separate criminal offence in its own right, recognising the self-evident fact that the theft of a living, sentient being is in a whole different category to the theft of an inanimate object.

Update from All-party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group (APDAWG) Vice Chair Ross Thomson MP:- In an event hosted by the Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance (SAMPA), Aberdeen South MP Ross Thomson proposed his bill to change the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Animal Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 to create a new, separate criminal offence of pet theft.

At present, pets are treated as possessions in UK law, making it no different from any other inanimate object that is stolen, such as a TV or a car.

Mr Thomson said: “We are well known as a nation of pet lovers, and for many people, it can be hard to comprehend the impact that losing a pet can truly have.”

“I am pleased that so many parliamentary colleagues turned out at this event to highlight the issue of pet theft.

“I hope that we will soon see the change in the law that is required to make this a criminal offence in its own right.”

Recent findings published by Direct Line Pet Insurance using UK police statistics, show an upward trend in pet thefts in recent years, with a 14% rise in 2016 and a further 6.8% increase in 2017.

The Bill will now pass to the committee stage, (2nd Reading), at which point MPs will examine the amended legislation, before it goes to the third reading before it can become law.

Mr Thomson has won cross-party backing for his bill, which has also been supported by leading animal welfare charities.

SAMPA asked you to write to your MPs and ask them to attend the drop-in to show their support for this important campaign to get protection for our pets. It was a very positive event and good to see that the system works and also shows how important it is to contact your MPs on issues that are important to you.

The Pet (Theft) Bill,was drafted by Professor John Cooper QC, who is SAMPA’s legal advisor: Draft Pet (Theft) Bill: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/2017-2019/0245/cbill_2017-20190245_en_2.htm

Watch John Cooper talking about his draft Pet (Theft) Bill:-

MPs supporting #PetTheftReform – Pet (Theft) Bill:-

Jonathan Reynolds @jreynoldsMP for Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley, Londdendale and Dukinfield

Antoinette Sandbach MP for Eddisbury, Cheshire.

Stephen Gethins MP for Fife North East, Scotland. @StephenGethins.

Mark Tami MP Alyn and Deeside Scotland. @MarkTamiMP

Dr Julian Lewis MP for New Forest East, Hampshire.

Douglas Ross MP for Moray, Scotland. @Douglas4Moray

Keven Foster MP for Torquay and Paignton, Devon. @kevin_j_foster

Julian Knight MP for Solihull, West Midlands. @ julianknight15

Brendan O’Hara MP for Argyll and Bute, Scotland. @BrendanOHaraSNP

Yvonne Fovargue MP for Makerfield, Greater Manchester. @Y_FovargueMP

Sir Mike Penning MP for Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.

Mike Hill MP for Hartlepool, County Durham. @MikeHillMP

Sir Henry Bellingham MP for North West Norfolk, East Anglia.

Henry Smith MP for Crawley, West Sussex. @HenrySmithMP

Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP for Kempton and Peacehaven. @lloyd_rm

Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, North East London.

Alex Chalk MP for Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. @AlexChalkChelt

Gareth Johnson MP for Dartford, Kent.

Giles Watling MP for Clacton, Essex. @GilesWatling

Sir David Amess MP for Southend West, Essex. @amessd_southend

Paula Sherriff MP for Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. @paulasherriff

With special thanks to Dr Lisa Cameron MP, chair of All-party Parliamentary Dog Welfare Group (APDAWG), Secretariat and Animal Welfare Campaigner Marc Abrahams (Lucy’s Law) and Ross Thomson MP, Vice APDAWG chair and the Pet (Theft) Bill, for sponsoring the MP drop-in and for holding the APDAWG Pet Theft Meeting.

Pictured from left to right:

Ross Thomson MP, Vice Chair APDAWG, presented the Pet (Theft) Bill to Westminster.

Jayne Hayes, Founder Doglost and SAMPA

Marc Abrahams, APDAWG Secretariat, Lucy’s Law.

Dr Lisa Cameron MP, Chair APDAWG.

Dr Daniel Allen, Animal Geographer and SAMPA Patron, alongside his helpers, Jamie Arathoon and Adam Peacock.

Beverley Cuddy, editor of Dogs Today Magazine and SAMPA Patron

Debbie Matthews, founder Vets Get Scanning and SAMPA

Pictured below:

Richard Jordan, founder Pet Theft Awareness and SAMPA with his MP Sir Mike Penning.

Professor John Cooper QC, SAMPA legal advisor, discussing his draft Pet (Theft) Bill with MP Henry Smith

Professor John Cooper QC and MP Henry Smith #PetTheftReform

Among the guests who attended the meeting was Niki Roe. Police believe her dog Diddy was a revenge theft due to her campaigning to stop 3rd hand puppy sales for #LucysLaw

Diddy’s Doglost Page: http://www.doglost.co.uk/dog-blog.php?dogId=133933

The Doglost database goes back 15 years, their help and advice to families with missing pets is invaluable and is run by volunteers. Register for free to help the missing pets in your area: Doglost.co.uk