The Government has launched a new task force in a bid to combat the rapid increase in pet thefts.
Home Secretary Priti Patel met Environment Secretary George Eustice and Justice Secretary Robert Buckland last month to agree on a cross-government approach.
The new task force is considering several ways to toughen penalties for pet thefts including an amendment to the Police Crime and Sentencing Bill to include the introduction of a specific offence for stealing dogs.
Under the current laws stealing a pet is classed as an offence under the Theft Act and can result in a maximum jail sentence of seven years. Sentencing Council guidelines mean emotional distress is also considered when deciding punishments.
However, The Kennel Club say that less than five per cent of cases result in a criminal conviction.
Dog ownership has soared since the initial lockdown in March with over 2 million people thought to have bought a dog in the first six months of the pandemic, leading to many criminals trying to take advantage of the increased demand for dogs.
Data obtained from Britain’s 45 police forces show that 2,438 dogs were reported stolen last year, representing a 19 per cent increase on the 2019 figure.
A Government spokesman said: “Last month, the Home Secretary, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs met to discuss a cross-government approach to combating this issue and we will announce next steps in due course. ‘
“This builds upon the huge amounts of work already undertaken by junior ministers and officials. ‘
“Losing a much-loved family pet can cause great distress and it’s a sad fact that criminals will seek to profit by this vile crime.”
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