'Medway Lib Dems say that pet theft is a crime, as our 3 local Conservative MP's failed to back pet theft law.'

In a vote on Monday 5th July, 354 Conservatives including Medway's three MPs blocked efforts to make pet theft a crime in its own right, and voted against making it a specific criminal offence. with stiffer penalties for offenders. Under the current law, pets are treated as property, with no distinction between a family's beloved dog and a stolen bike. Meanwhile, pet theft is up 250% in the past year as the value of pets has soared during lockdown.

John Castle, Chair of Medway Liberal Democrats said "Pets aren't property, and pet theft is a growing problem, dognapping and other pet and animal crimes are important to local people. Over 50% of Kent residents are pet owners and I understand just how heart breaking it is to lose a pet and it must be even more so when that pet is stolen.

They are so much more and the law should reflect that. We need bigger fines and tougher sentences to deter criminals who currently see pet theft as an easy option, with the monetary value of pets rising and the chance of conviction shockingly low. They should listen to families that have suffered the heartbreak of having a beloved pet taken from them. They would see the devastation and recognise the urgent need to make this a specific offence with tougher sentences to deter criminals from targeting animals that are, for many, a part of the family.

John added "Owners are left traumatised after a pet is stolen, with emotional impacts. The theft of a pet brings considerable heartache and stress as a member of the family disappears. Sometimes even resulting in depression, anxiety and PTSD. Where dog nappers are caught, we believe as well as incurring punishment they should face restorative justice so that owners can make it clear just how heart breaking the crime is.

There is strong support for changing the law to reflect the emotional impact of having a pet stolen. At present, dog theft is not defined as a specific crime, with dogs classed as 'property' under the Theft Act 1968. If caught, the penalty for stealing pets is generally a small fine or suspended sentence, with the Pet Theft Reform campaign reporting that in recent years only 1% of dog theft crimes have led to a prosecution."

Liberal Democrats are committed to protecting our communities, the rise in pet theft has been extraordinary, like nothing we have ever witnessed. As a low risk high profit crime, it is a very lucrative business and a change in law is crucial. Pet theft needs to be recognised as a crime in its own right, with the emotional impact on the victim being taken into consideration when sentencing is passed. Tougher consequences will be a much-needed deterrent. Currently thieves know that it is highly unlikely that they will even be prosecuted and if they are it will seldom carry a custodial sentence.

During lockdown demand for dogs has skyrocketed, and prices have soared as a result. Organised crime is exploiting this situation, both by smuggling puppies from abroad and stealing dogs across the UK. Dog theft is now at an all-time high. Since 2018, cases of dognapping have increased by 33% in the South East - with 163 incidents reported in the last year.

During the recent Kent Police and Crime Commissioner elections, Medway LibDems actively supported a Kent LibDem petition for a designated Kent Police Officer to co- ordinate the fight against pet crime.

ENDS

Notes: Details on the amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that would have made pet theft its own crime can be found here: www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2021-07-05b.690.2