A new law I was proud to help guide through the House of Commons creating the specific criminal offence of ‘Pet Abduction’ comes into force from today.

Anyone convicted of the theft of a pet can now face a prison sentence of up to five years.

Pet theft causes heartbreak for the families affected and in my view it has been wrong that the theft of a beloved pet was treated as a theft of property, with little distinction in how it was treated by the law from the theft of a wallet or handbag. I am pleased that pet theft is now it’s own specific offence, reflecting that it is actually the abduction of a beloved member of the family.

I know a lot of local residents involved in animal protection supported this law and I am pleased that from today pet thieves will face harsher sentences for their awful crimes.