Oral Answers to Questions

Jane Stevenson Excerpts

Tuesday 29th June 2021 Commons Chamber

[Jonathan Gullis (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to tackle pet theft.

[Jane Stevenson (Wolverhampton North East) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to tackle pet theft.

[Mark Fletcher (Bolsover) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to tackle pet theft.

--- Later in debate ---

[Robert Buckland]

My hon. Friend always speaks with vigour on behalf of his constituents, and I wholeheartedly agree with his revulsion at this appalling type of crime. We share his deep concern, which is why the sort of ideas and proposals he outlined are very much at the forefront of Government thinking.

[Jane Stevenson]

I thank the Secretary of State for speaking to me recently about pet theft. In the recent local election campaign in Wolverhampton, I spoke to several constituents who are now too nervous to go out to walk their dogs, especially in the evening time. Does he recognise that, for their wellbeing, and for that of their dogs, this is an urgent matter? Can he reassure me that as soon as the taskforce reports the Government will take action on pet theft reform?

[Robert Buckland]

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her deep commitment to this issue. She is so right to highlight the wellbeing and mental health effects of the loss of a much-loved pet on her local residents in Wolverhampton and more widely. That is precisely why we took action to set up the taskforce, and we will indeed be reporting as soon as possible to address the concerns of her constituents.