Pet Theft Petition and Charity Nowzad

As the petition calling for a revamp of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and Breed Specific Legislation goes from strength to strength (just over 60000 signatures at the time of writing), I thought it would be nice to, over the next few weeks, feature a different petition each week. So this week I am highlighting the petition to introduce an offence of pet theft. This petition is running for the third time, due to the ending of previous Government sessions. The last run of the petition gained 117453 signatures and was due to have a debate in Parliament. This did not happen, and the General Election in 2019 cancelled the petition. The petition is now running again.

Whilst theft of pets is covered by the Thefts Act 1968, an offence for which the maximum penalty is 7 years, the sentences actually imposed do not reflect the effects of this crime on the human victim. Often a non-custodial sentence, it is an insult that many only receive small fines whilst still not providing any information on the whereabouts of the stolen pet.

It is clear that the sentencing for pet theft is inadequate because the sentencing guidelines make the approach too lenient. It is even more of an insult that the human victim, experiencing intense emotional distress, has to sit in court and see this kind of weak punishment given out. To many, pets are family. I know of people who have had their dog stolen who describe the emotional pain as intense for years, saying one wonders all the time where the dog is, what happened to it. Every day the pet could be alive, you hurt, until you know the chances of it being alive have gone and you know it won’t be suffering anymore. I cannot imagine what I would feel if someone stole my dog. I would worry every day whether he was in pain, or being mistreated, or dead. Or if he would be wondering why I hadn’t come to get him. 

A right realist approach to crime, in particular an increase in custodial sentences, does not always work to reduce crime. Custodial sentences rarely reduce the incidence of a particular crime, although suspended custodial sentences reduce recidivism the most out of all the sentencing options. There is therefore an argument that either a new offence or increased custodial sentencing through the guidelines is not the answer. However, the general perception of pets as mere items of property only serves to encourage thieves to focus efforts on this type of property which has high value but low consequence. Routine Activity Theory would suggest that the absence of a capable guardian increases crime. The state does not protect its animal citizens, it does not act as a suitable guardian. If the state views pets as less special than a laptop, the opportunity for pet related crime will be present and increased.

In the interests of not only reducing theft but also animal cruelty, it is essential that the state sends out a clear message that pets are viewed in a category of legal identity all their own, that they are not property, or less important than a laptop or car. It must show that financial value is not the only way to assess the worth of something. Until the Government shows it cares about animals, there will not be change for the better. How this is achieved must be done carefully. The previous Pet Theft Bill would have introduced a maximum sentence of 2 years imprisonment. This would have limited the maximum sentence far below the maximum for theft, and sends out perhaps the wrong message in relation to the value of an animal compared to other property.

As pet thieves are now targeting people in their own home and using violence to obtain pets, the time has come for something to be done.

Dr Dan Allen’s petition to introduce an offence of pet theft can be signed here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/300071. It currently has over 17000 signatures. I would also recommend Dr Allen’s article on this issue, Spatialities of Dog Theft: A Critical Perspective: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9050209.

Now to highlight a different issue - During the COVID-19 pandemic, many charities have been struggling, not least animal charities. What I thought might be nice is to mention a charity each week that we should all get behind. Even if you just manage to give a couple of quid, less than a pint, each week. After all, many of us have been saving on pub purchases! So this week I would like to mention my most favourite charity, other than the one I run of course, Nowzad Dogs founded by the very lovely Pen Farthing. I can’t believe there is anyone left in the UK who hasn’t heard of Nowzad, but then I am biased. So for those few of you who don’t know what they do, I will explain it a bit, however for the full story I would recommend you look at their website, www.nowzad.com.

Pen had personal experience with dogs who befriended members of our armed forces in Afghanistan (I wonder how similar this is to those days many thousands of years ago when dog ancestors first befriended humans) and was touched by the relationships that were formed between human and dog. To keep the story brief, Nowzad now has shelters in Afghanistan rescuing dogs, cats, donkeys and other animals and attempts to rehome them. Some even find their way to places like the UK and US to be reunited with their armed forces personnel buddies.

Each animal they rescue has an amazing story, and warms the heart. I cannot big this charity up enough. They also put a lot back into the community. Assisting local Afghans, such as with selling crafts of the local women, education, helping train vets, including a woman vet who now trains the next generation of young men. All these things break down boundaries and make positive social change. Please support this amazing charity. Again, their website is www.nowzad.com. They also have great merchandise and run activities which you can get involved in. My particular favourite is the Snowden Challenge – scaling Mount Snowdon in October. Hopefully COVID-19 won’t cause a problem with that, in which case, maybe I will see you there?!

I aim to get a blog entry out every Sunday morning, so you have a chance to sit down and read it when life is a little less hectic, as in spite of the lockdown, many of us are still quite busy during the week. So keep an eye out next Sunday, for my next mention of a deserving petition and deserving animal charity.

As ever comments are welcome, but please #bekind to each other.