Blue Cross welcomes parliamentary debate into pet theft legislation
Becky Thwaites, Head of Public Affairs at Blue Cross comments ahead of a Westminster Hall debate and a Ten Minute Rule Motion this week, both on pet theft:
“We hope today’s Westminster Hall debate led by Mike Hill MP and tomorrow's Ten Minute Rule Motion by Ross Thomson MP, into the current legislation relating to pet theft, take into account the strong public desire for increased penalties and sentencing regarding stolen dogs, cats and other animals, who are beloved family members .
Currently pets are simply considered an item of property and sentencing of pet theft crimes is limited to that of the theft of an object, but we know that pets mean so much more than this and the impact on those affected is utterly devastating. The time is now to make theft of a protected animal a criminal offence.”
“Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service takes many calls from people who struggle to cope after their beloved pet is stolen so we hope MPs will finally recognise that pets are sentient beings, not property, and punish criminals who ruin peoples’ lives.”
