Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking tackle dog theft in the context of the withdrawal of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill.

The cross-Government Pet Theft Taskforce published their findings in September 2021 with input from animal welfare groups and experts in relevant fields including the issue of cat theft.

We would be supportive of legislation on pet abduction when parliamentary time allows. We have listened carefully to views expressed on the pet abduction measures during the passage of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill including adding cats. We will take this feedback into consideration when delivering this measure.