Scottish Parliament backs plan for dog theft law

The Scottish Parliament has unanimously backed plans to create a new criminal offence for dog theft.

Under a members’ bill, tabled by Conservative MSP Maurice Golden, offenders would face a maximum prison sentence of five years and the possibility of an unlimited fine.

MSPs backed the general principles of the bill in an initial vote, with two further stages of scrutiny to follow before it can become law.

Dog theft in Scotland is currently covered under the common law offence of theft, with pets classed as “property”.

The bill would make the theft of an assistance dog an “aggravated” offence, meaning the court would be required to consider if a more severe sentence should be imposed.

In addition, the legislation would allow victims to make a statement to the court about the effect of the crime, and it would require the government to publish annual statistics on dog thefts.

The move comes after a criminal offence of “pet abduction”, covering the theft of dogs and cats, came into force in England and Northern Ireland in August.