Missed opportunity to protect lives of pets

FOLLOWING the debate in parliament on Monday, October 19, Blue Cross is incredibly disappointed that the government has not committed to change current legislation to make pet theft a crime in its own right.

We feel this is a huge missed opportunity to protect the lives of pets and reassure their owners that pet theft is taken as a very serious crime.

Pets are not simply “property”, they are sentient beings and much loved family members.

Our Pet Bereavement Support Service has been supporting owners for over 25 years and we know only too well the devastation, stress and anxiety caused by the theft of a beloved pet, which deserves to be recognised and thieves punished accordingly.

We are, however, encouraged that the government has stated its willingness to engage in further discussion on the sentencing guidelines and we look forward to being fully involved.

Becky Thwaites, Head of Public

Affairs, Blue Cross