New dog theft law passed by Scottish Parliament

A law creating a new criminal offence of dog theft has been passed by the Scottish Parliament.

Stealing a dog is already illegal as a theft of property, but the bill tabled by Conservative MSP Maurice Golden creates a specific offence in a bid to address low prosecution rates.

It will include a maximum prison sentence of five years and the possibility of an unlimited fine.

However, unlike a new law on pet abduction introduced in England, it does not cover cats.

The Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill was passed by 119 votes to two.

Golden said he was “thrilled” as he believed the legislation could “make a huge difference to dogs and to the many families across Scotland to whom they are so special”.

He added: “To this point, there simply wasn’t enough deterrence when it came to dog theft.

“This strengthening of the law will change that, and help police and other justice authorities clamp down on this disgraceful crime.

“Dogs are our best friends and deserve more – I hope this new law can help deliver that.”

Community Safety minister Siobhian Brown told Holyrood that “dog theft causes distress and can have a profound and devastating impact on victims”.

She said: “To lose a much-loved dog and to lose it to theft is horrendous.

“As a dog owner and a dog lover, I recognise the emotional benefits they bring to our lives.

“Dogs can lift our mood, provide companionship, and they are treated as members of the family.”

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 last year.

It also imposes a maximum punishment of five years in prison.

Holyrood backed the general principles of the Scotland bill in October.

An estimated 1,808 dogs were stolen across the UK in 2024, with only one in five returned to its owner, according to Direct Line Pet Insurance.

Dog thefts peaked during the Covid pandemic, with Direct Line estimating 2,760 thefts in 2021.