On August 24, 2024, the Pet Abduction Act came into effect in the UK. It marks a significant shift in how pets are treated under the law as, for the first time, pets are recognised not just as property but as sentient beings with emotional bonds to their owners.
Five Years in Prison
This law introduces a new criminal offence for pet theft, acknowledging the distress caused to pets and their owners. Thieves who steal pets now face up to five years in prison, fines, or both.
Previously, misdemeanours against pets were handled like property crimes of other household items, such as mobile phone theft. However, the introduction of the Pet Abduction Act, spearheaded by former MP Anna Firth, changes this by recognising the unique status of pets within families.
Animal welfare organisations have celebrated the passing of the law, as it addresses an issue that affects thousands of families. Statistics indicate that around 2,000 dogs and 400 cats are stolen annually.
The Emotional Impact
Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director at Dogs Trust, highlighted the emotional impact of pet theft, noting that pets are cherished family members. “Having your beloved pet stolen is an extremely stressful, heart-breaking experience,”. She also said that previous laws ignored the emotional trauma involved in these thefts.
The previous treatment of pets as mere property was a shocking oversight. Especially in a nation known for its love of animals. The new law finally acknowledges the deep connection between pets and their owners and provides harsher penalties to deter thieves.
A Critical Step
The Kennel Club, one of the UK’s largest dog welfare organisations, also applauded the legislation. Dr Ed Hayes, Head of Public Affairs at the Kennel Club, expressed relief at the law’s passage: “We’re thrilled that this important bill – which introduces a new and specific offence to tackle pet theft – has become law.”
The Pet Abduction Act is seen as a critical step in addressing the emotional harm caused by pet theft. With stricter penalties now in place, it is hoped that this law serves as a strong deterrent. However, pet owners are still encouraged to take precautions, such as microchipping their pets and ensuring they wear ID tags in public — both of which are required by law.
For more information on how to keep your pet safe, have a look back at one of my previous articles on love-wrexham.com called “Dog Theft: Keeping Your Pet Safe”.
Finally, for more pet articles, click here, or you can visit Karen Boyce’s website here.
Author: Karen Boyce for Love Wrexham Magazine
Karen Boyce is the founder of Beastly Thoughts Professional Dog Services (BTPDS), established in 2007. As the largest independent dog training facility in Wales, BTPDS specialises in puppy training and managing reactive dogs, while also offering a wide range of obedience classes, lectures, webinars, and online training hubs and communities. In 2019, Karen was honoured as the Animal Star Awards Dog Trainer/Behaviourist of the Year. In 2025, BTPDS surpassed the milestone of training 2,000 puppies and was named the Overall Winner in the Best of North Wales Business Awards, in addition to being recognised as the Best Pet Services Business in North Wales. Contact Details: - Phone: 07970 488 395 - Email: [email protected] - Website: www.beastlythoughts.co.uk
