Ministers to tackle ‘vile’ theft of pets

MINISTERS ARE working on a cross-government approach to tackling the “vile crime” of pet theft.

Home Secretary Priti Patel has held talks with Cabinet colleagues to discuss how to address the issue, with officials acknowledging the “great distress” caused by the loss of a family pet.

But she faced accusations of not taking the problem seriously enough, two months after vowing to “go after” those responsible for the theft of dogs and other animals.

Ms Patel has discussed the issue with Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland and Environment Secretary George Eustice.

Officials and junior ministers have also carried out work on the issue, with the next steps due to be announced “in due course”.

Stealing a pet is already an offence under the Theft Act, with a maximum jail term of seven years and Sentencing Council guidelines mean that emotional distress is taken into consideration when punishments are decided.

But Ministers have been under pressure to introduce a new specific offence of stealing muchloved pet dogs.

A Government spokesman said: “Last month the Home Secretary, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs met to discuss a cross-government approach to combating this issue and we will announce next steps in due course.”

But Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Tim Farron questioned the Government’s commitment after a Freedom of Information Act request revealed the Home Office had no information on meetings about the issue involving Ms Patel from October 2020 to mid-March.