Dognappers face five years in jail as new law set to recognise pets are not ‘just property’
The IndependentGet the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Dognappers face tougher sentences under plans to create a new criminal offence of pet abduction amid a sharp rise during lockdown. The proposal, drawn up by the Pet Theft Taskforce, aims to acknowledge that animals are sentient creatures and should not fall under the category of “property”. “A purpose-made new offence will do this and mean those who steal pets will face tougher sentences than they do at the moment.” The Pet Theft Taskforce was launched in May to investigate the rise in dognapping since lockdown began last March. A pet abduction offence provides a “blank canvas” from which to work, the government has said, allowing acknowledgement of the sentience of animals as well as the loss to the owner and the welfare of the animal.
History of this topic
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