MSP pushes ahead with dog theft bill that replicates existing law

The majority of responses to a consultation on a proposal to create a specific offence for the theft of dogs, including from numerous dog charities, are supportive.

Scottish Conservative MSP Maurice Golden has today published the findings from the 12-week consultation on his proposed Dog Abduction (Scotland) Bill.

The law of theft already accounts for the abduction of dogs and the proposals have been met with derision by the legal community.

The bill will now be formally lodged later this month in the Scottish Parliament at which point Mr Golden will seek to win cross-party support for the move and progress it to the next stage.

The consultation invited organisations and members of the public to submit their views on the plans to create a specific crime of dog abduction. As it stands, dogs are things in law.

The proposed bill would introduce a sentence of up to five years in jail for those convicted – a sentence already available in such cases under the common law.

Critics say the law as it stands fails to take into account the emotional value of a dog, nor the devastating their abduction has on owners. The proposed bill would also seek to improve the recording of data, enabling authorities to understand the true scale of dog theft and identify crucial clues about where thieves operate and how.

The Law Society of Scotland said it was “not opposed to the creation of a new offence in principle” but felt more evidence was required.

Mr Golden said: “The results of this consultation confirms the public’s appetite to tackle this appalling crime. The theft of a dog is among the most traumatic things that can happen to an owner, and as it stands the law simply doesn’t do them justice.

“The law also doesn’t do enough to deter thieves, to support police in tracking them down or to build a robust picture of the scale of the problem. My proposed bill aims to address all of that.

“The overwhelming support is hugely encouraging, both from the public and widely-respected animal welfare organisations. I also thank those who aren’t convinced and have concerns – we very much want their help in creating this legislation too.

“MSPs from all parties in Holyrood have expressed support for this, and I look forward to working on a cross-party basis to move this proposed bill to the next stage. It’s been long said dogs are people’s best friend – it’s time the law in Scotland gave them the status and protection they deserve.”