Submitted on Thursday 6th January 2022
Rejected on Monday 10th January 2022
Current status: Rejected
Rejection code: no-action (see below for details)
Make dog theft an act of Kidnap and not theft of property
The Government should class dog theft as abduction/kidnap and not theft of property.
Dogs are like members of the family and current laws do not reflect this. Dogs are a support network for so many, a family member, a lifeline.
There have been reports of substantial increases in dog theft in recent months, with the most loyal of animals torn away from its family. Thieves think it’s all too easy and the punishment can be nothing compared to the gain with a shocking minority of dogs being reunited with their families.
Dog theft is not currently a specific offence and the crime of theft carries a sentence of up to seven years according to the Theft Act 1968, but this doesn’t target the specific problem which is dog theft.
Dogs should be seen to have their own offence to protect them. Current laws and penalties are not enough justice for the families and dogs that go through this trauma. They protect us, so we will protect them
You can't sign this petition because it was rejected. But you can still comment on it here at Repetition.me!
The Government e-Petitions Team gave the following reason:
Petitions need to call on the Government or Parliament to take a specific action.
We understand that you are concerned about existing offences relating to dog theft, but we're not sure exactly what you'd like the Government or Parliament to do.
Kidnapping is a common law offence comprising the taking or carrying away of one person by another, by force or fraud, without the consent of the person so taken or carried away and without lawful excuse. It would therefore not apply to animals.
The Government has already announced plans to create a new criminal offence of pet abduction, which you can find out about here: www.gov.uk/government/news/pet-abduction-to-be-made-new-criminal-offence-in-crackdown-on-pet-theft
If you want the Government to make penalties for pet abduction equal to those for kidnapping, we could accept a petition requesting this.
3.145.90.207 Mon, 18 Nov 2024 14:25:18 +0000
