MSP introduces bill to make dog theft a statutory offence

A new bill has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament that aims to make stealing a dog a statutory offence, which could see those responsible jailed for up to five years.

The Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill, introduced by Maurice Golden MSP, will now be considered by Holyrood’s Rural Affairs Committee.

Golden hopes that if the bill is passed, it could become law before the end of this year.

He said: “As it stands, the law does not adequately recognise the status of dogs in family households, nor the place they occupy in our hearts.

“They are considered a mere commodity and, when criminals who steal them are caught, the punishment often reflects that. But dogs are worth so much more, and this is the chance for Scotland to give them that recognition.”

Golden added: “The criminals involved in these thefts are often linked to serious organised crime, and they need to be dealt with severely.

“Stiffer sentencing will also act as a deterrence, showing would-be thieves that stealing a dog simply isn’t worth the risk.”