London, 19th April 2024
Today (Friday 19th April) Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF) has welcomed Patron Anna Firth MP’s Pet Abduction Bill passing its Remaining Stages in the House of Commons. This follows the Second Reading which took place on 19th January and Committee Stage on 31st January.
During the Third Reading, Anna Firth MP asserted that: “This bill will send a signal that we take animal welfare seriously in the UK“. She added that “Pets need to be recognised in law for the sentient beings they are…. This Bill is the opportunity to do that“.
The Pet Abduction Bill will make dog and cat abduction a specific offence and make provisions against the abduction of other animals commonly kept as pets (such as ferrets). This legislation will also address the growing problem of pet theft and deliver part of Defra’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare (2021).
Currently, under the law there is little to deter criminals who would seek to profit from the sale of a stolen pet. The theft of a pet cat or dog is treated no more severely than that of a mobile phone.
Following the Second Reading in January, MPs across parties displayed their support for the Bill holding placards, alongside several organisations including Battersea Cats and Dogs Home, Cats Protection, Tilly’s Angels, Dogs Trust, and the Pet Theft Awareness Group.
The Bill will enter the House of Lords in due course to complete its passage to becoming law. You can read more about the Pet Abduction Bill in the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation briefing here.
Lorraine Platt, Co-Founder of Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, commented: “We are delighted our Patron Anna Firth MP’s Pet Abduction Bill which will tackle the growing issue of pet theft has passed its Remaining Stages in the House of Commons today. This Bill will deliver a key component of Defra’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare (2021) and address an issue close to the hearts of the British public.
“Our pets are members of the family, often providing much needed companionship and stability throughout our lives. That the theft of a treasured pet is treated no more severely under the law than that of a mobile phone is simply unacceptable, and we look forward to seeing this legislation provide an effective deterrent against such offences.”
About Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF)
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation was established in 2016 to raise awareness on the lives of billions of animals reared on intensive farms around the world and how this impact upon animal welfare, the environment and people’s health. We want to highlight the action people can take to help advance farm animal welfare.
Animal welfare is an increasing concern amongst the public, who frequently look to Government to take the lead in both maintaining and improving standards.
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation believes it is highly important that the welfare of farm animals is placed at the forefront of the Governments plan for food and farming along with its focus on productivity, competitiveness, and technology.
Media contact: Sophia Stileman (sophia.stileman@conservativeanimalwelfarefoundation.org)
