In 2020/21 there were 88 crimes in which dogs were stolen or there was an attempt to steal them, up from 62 in the preceding financial year.

The figures come ahead of debate at Holyrood on making dog theft a specific crime that would impose a prison sentence of up to five years, The Herald reports.

Maurice Golden MSP said the figures showed that there was “a growing problem across the country”.

He said that the statistics may not “reveal the true extent of the problem.”

Mr Golden said: “We know dog theft is recorded in different ways by police in different areas, so this won’t even reveal the true extent of the problem.

“There’s a clear public interest in, and appetite for, strengthening the law in this area.

“Not only will it stiffen the punishment for the cruel and violent people responsible for this despicable practice, it should deter others from getting involved too.

“It will improve recording and present the courts with clearer and more realistic options.

“Dogs are treasured members of the family, sometimes people’s closest companion in the world. It’s time the law recognised that.”

Dean of Faculty, Roddy Dunlop QC, has pointed out, however, that new law is unnecessary.

He said: “There is already in place in the common law of Scotland a significant deterrent. If one needs to make that more robust, then it can be done by way of reinforcing sentencing guidelines without the need to introduce a specific statutory crime.”