Oral Answers to Questions

Tom Randall Excerpts

Tuesday 14th September 2021 Commons Chamber

[Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con)]

11. What steps his Department is taking through the criminal justice system to tackle pet theft.

[Tom Randall (Gedling) (Con)]

14. What steps his Department is taking through the criminal justice system to tackle pet theft.

[Karl MᶜCartney (Lincoln) (Con)]

20. What steps his Department is taking through the criminal justice system to tackle pet theft.

--- Later in debate ---

[Robert Buckland]

I reassure my hon. Friend that we are already working on the new proposed offence of pet abduction and that work is already under way with many of the other recommendations stemming from the report, such as the review of microchipping and improvements in the recording of these offences. This will continue and I remind the House that the recommendation of the pet abduction offence is leagues better than the weak amendment proposed by Labour.

[Tom Randall]

I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for his work on bringing criminals to book with the much needed criminal offence of pet theft. Does he agree that it is important that the sentence for this offence, when determined, will reflect the unique emotional suffering caused by the theft of a beloved pet, and will he ensure that that is reflected?

[Robert Buckland]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The use of the term “abduction” is a crucial reflection of the fact that these are sentient beings; they are not mere chattels or goods. The emotional effect both on the pets and their owners has to be taken into account. I think there is a read-across to animal cruelty and the important reforms that we made recently in increasing maximum sentences.