Cat and dog abduction bill backed by Northern Ireland Assembly

The Stormont assembly has endorsed extending to Northern Ireland proposed legislation to make stealing cats and dogs a specific criminal offence.

The Pet Abduction Bill was introduced in the House of Commons in December and has been backed by the UK government.

It would create an offence of pet abduction, with offenders facing a fine or a maximum of five years in prison.

Members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) on Monday endorsed a Legislative Consent Motion (LCM) to enable the bill to be extended to NI.

The Pet Abduction Bill, external, which will apply in England, was brought forward by Conservative MP Anna Firth.

Currently, pets are considered in law to be property and stealing a pet is covered by the 1968 Theft Act, external and Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969. The law is similar in Scotland.

Stormont’s agriculture minister Andrew Muir, who tabled the LCM, said he supported creating a “bespoke” offence for pet abduction.

He said he understands how important cats and dogs are to their owners.

“They are part of families, they provide support and comfort when we are down and they provide companionship and joy,” he added.

“That is why it is so distressing for owners when one of their beloved pets is abducted or detained in what is a very cruel crime.”