North Wales MS pushes for pet abduction law in Wales

A Member of the Senedd (MS) representing North Wales is spearheading efforts to make pet abduction a specific criminal offence in Wales.

Carolyn Thomas, a Welsh Labour MS, will lead a debate in the Senedd this Wednesday to propose legislative changes aimed at aligning Welsh law with existing measures in England and Northern Ireland.

Ms Thomas, a former deputy leader of Flintshire County Council and chair of the Senedd’s Cross Party Group on Animal Welfare, argues that existing laws fail to reflect the emotional and financial impact on pet owners when their animals are stolen.

“When a pet is abducted, the knock-on effects are severe, both for the animal and for the owner,” Thomas explained. “Significant emotional distress is often coupled with a substantial financial cost in relation to searching for the stolen animal. Pets combat loneliness and provide loyal companionship, which is incredibly beneficial for mental health. The trauma caused when a pet is stolen can be irreversible.”

The proposed law would ensure that pet theft is prosecuted more appropriately than under the current provisions of the 1968 Theft Act, which treats pets as objects rather than sentient beings.

If adopted, the new legislation could see offenders face up to five years in prison and require police forces to record pet abduction cases separately. This would help identify trends and target resources towards vulnerable breeds and high-risk areas.

The campaign to criminalise pet abduction has gathered significant public and organisational support.

A Senedd petition advocating for the change garnered over 1,200 signatures and was reviewed by the Petitions Committee.

Animal welfare organisations, including RSPCA Cymru and Cats Protection, have backed the proposal.

RSPCA Cymru’s Senior Public Affairs Manager, Billie-Jade Thomas, stated: “The theft of a pet is devastating for both owners and their animals, and the RSPCA has long called for tougher laws to act as a real deterrent to those who carry out this crime. For many, pets are members of the family and it just isn’t appropriate that stealing a much-loved cat or dog is currently treated the same in law as stealing a mobile phone or other non-sentient possessions.”

Cats Protection also voiced its support, with Madison Rogers, Associate Director of Advocacy, Campaigns & External Affairs, commenting: “For many of us, pets are part of our family, and for them to be stolen without a trace is a horrendous experience. Some people may never find out what happened to their much-loved pet, which can bring unbearable distress.”

The debate on Wednesday will provide Members of the Senedd with the opportunity to discuss the proposal, which supporters hope will bring Welsh legislation in line with similar laws in other parts of the UK.

If successful, the move could represent a significant step towards reducing pet thefts and offering greater reassurance to pet owners across Wales.