Scottish parliament consults on tougher sentences for dog abduction

Proposals to make dog theft a specific crime – rather than being treated the same as any other property theft – have been launched in the Scottish Parliament.

In Scotland dogs are viewed as a property with a monetary value which is taken into account when sentence is passed. A specific crime of pet abduction already exists in England and Wales, but not Scotland.

However, a 12-week consultation has begun at Holyrood for a new Dog Abduction (Scotland) Bill. The proposals have been tabled by animal theft campaigner and Scottish Conservative MSP for North East Scotland Maurice Golden.

He said: “Right now in Scotland, the law considers the theft of a dog as if they were just another household commodity, but they are worth so much more, and it’s time the law reflected that. Anyone who’s had a dog stolen will tell you just how traumatic and distressing an experience it is.

“We need to deter criminals from this kind of behaviour and punish severely those who do it.”

The consultation ends on 16 January 2023. If MSPs support Golden’s proposals, he will bring it to parliament as a members’ bill, as the next step towards it becoming law.