RSPCA welcome Southend MP's 'Pet Safety Bill' as new law advances
Southend West MP Anna Firth addressed the house of commons today - gaining cross party support
The Pet Abduction Bill, introduced by Anna Firth MP (Southend West) as a backbench bill, has successfully completed its second reading in the House of Commons. This legislation aims to establish specific offenses for the abduction of cats or dogs, with the possibility of extension to other pet animals in the future.
Under current law, the theft of a cat or dog is treated no differently than the theft of any other property, such as a mobile phone. This underscores the urgent need for change, a sentiment shared by the RSPCA, which hopes that the proposed stricter laws will act as a genuine deterrent to pet thieves.
The bill will now move to the Committee stage for further scrutiny and debate.
Bill Reading
Southend West MP Anna Firth's address to the House of Commons, began by shedding light on the pressing need for more robust laws to combat the growing issue of pet abduction in the UK.
Firth articulated the emotional toll of pet theft, stating, "It is heartbreaking when any one of our beloved pets is snatched away from us, and it's also why the taking, abducting, or detaining someone else's beloved pet is such a sick and cruel crime." She shared anecdotes, including the theft of her own pet at the Westminster Dog Show, underscoring the profound impact on pet owners.
Addressing concerns about unintended consequences, Firth assured, "We do not seek to over criminalize anyone who looks after stray animals or involves themselves with someone else's pet for good and honorable reasons." Firth explained the differences in the proposed offenses, distinguishing between detaining dogs and only taking cats, reflecting the unique behaviors of the two species.
Firth highlighted community initiatives like Tilleys Angels, a social enterprise aiding in reuniting lost pets with their owners. She also praised the work of the Pet Theft Task Force, formed in response to the surge in pet theft during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts across party lines.
Proposing legislative changes, Firth outlined the creation of specific offenses for cat and dog abduction. She emphasized the need for a unique identifier in crime data sets to accurately record the prevalence of pet theft, citing difficulties in obtaining reliable statistics due to police records not distinguishing pet thefts.
Firth discussed the proposed penalties for offenders, including fines and up to five years in prison. She highlighted the maximum term of imprisonment as comparable to existing provisions for animal welfare offenses, marking a significant step in deterring pet theft.
Closing her speech, Firth expressed gratitude to organizations and individuals supporting the bill, concluding, "If this bill is enacted, we will have better protections for our pets, recognizing them as sentient beings deserving of our support and protection."
RSPCA Reaction
David Bowles, head of public affairs at the RSPCA, said: “The theft of a pet is devastating and we need tougher laws to act as a real deterrent to those who carry out this crime; cracking down on those who steal people's much-loved animals.
“We were bitterly disappointed when plans to tackle pet theft hit the buffers when the UK Government binned its Kept Animals Bill last year - but thankfully Anna Firth MP has put this issue back on the agenda and we are delighted this law has completed second reading.
“Pets are members of the family - and it just isn't appropriate that stealing a cat or dog is currently treated the same in law as stealing a mobile phone or other such possessions.
“Thankfully, this Bill will change that and give more animals the recognition they deserve, which is so important as we seek to inspire everyone to create a better world for every animal.”
The RSPCA also hopes the Bill’s progress through Parliament will help raise awareness of the steps people can take to keep their pets safe - and prevent them from being targeted by thieves.