Whilst the Isle of Man’s proposed Animal Welfare Bill 2021 now sits on a shelf, the law in England is set to change for the better in relation to the theft of pets. Admittedly we don’t seem to have the same issues on the island in relation to animals being stolen, and our problems often stem from animals being abandoned, but it is interesting to note what’s happening across the Irish Sea in case it has a knock on effect here.

The term ‘pandemic puppies’ has entered our lexicon now, and refers to the increased demand for people to have a pet in their lives during the various lockdowns. Both in the UK and on the island this has led to inflated prices for dogs and cats, which has created a lucrative opportunity for organized crime groups in the UK to co-ordinate pet thefts. These groups then sell the animals on the black market which, in practice, unusually involves a very credible ‘middle-man’ who poses as a legitimate breeder.

In March this year, the charity DogLost, which helps the victims of dog theft, reported a 170% increase in cases with 172 dogs reported stolen in 2019 and 465 in 2020. The increasing theft problem led to the creation of the Pet Theft Taskforce which is made up of UK government officials, police and campaign groups. The Taskforce is now recommending that a new criminal offense of ‘pet abduction’ be added to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which is currently going through Parliament.

The new legislation will recognize that the theft of a sentient animal is not the same as the theft of property. It will carry tougher sentences with up to five years in prison, with courts able to take into account the anxiety suffered by the owner and the welfare of the animal when deciding the length of sentences. The legislation should also make it easier for the police to bring prosecutions in the first place, and improve the current low rate – it is estimated that only 1% of UK dog thefts result in a prosecution.

The most popular dog breeds are the fashionable ones, such as French bull dogs, and traditional family pets such as spaniels, and these are targeted by the crime groups. But all dogs are at risk and the UK police advise owners to avoid leaving their dogs unattended, to vary their walking routes, and to check locks on garden gates. If you are visiting the UK this summer with your dog, please be extra vigilant and take these precautions.