If a person steals or maliciously takes an animal of another for purposes of sale, medical research, slaughter, or other commercial use (or does so by fraud or false representation), he or she commits
a public offense punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding 1 year or in the state prison
.
Is it a criminal offence to steal a dog?
Stealing a pet is an awful crime which can cause families great emotional distress whilst callous criminals line their pockets. The new offence of
pet abduction
acknowledges that animals are far more than just property and will give police an additional tool to bring these sickening individuals to justice.
What is the penalty for stealing someone’s dog?
The theft of a dog is already a criminal offence under the Theft Act 1968 and the maximum penalty is
seven years’ imprisonment
. … The existing maximum custodial penalty for causing animal cruelty is 6 months’ imprisonment.
Is stealing a dog considered kidnapping?
Dognapping is
the crime of taking a dog from its owner
. The word is derived from the term kidnapping. Historically in the United States, dogs had been stolen and sold on for medical research, but the introduction of the Animal Welfare Act of 1966 reduced these occurrences.
What is the punishment for stealing a dog UK?
Currently, pet theft falls under the Theft Act 1968 which considers a stolen pet to be a loss of property to its owners, with a
maximum jail sentence of seven years
.
What is the most commonly stolen dog?
- French Bulldog – 149 thefts.
- Jack Russell Terrier – 107 thefts.
- Pug – 97 thefts.
- Bulldog – 94 thefts.
- German Shepherd – 93 thefts.
- Yorkshire Terrier – 77 thefts.
- Cocker Spaniel – 66 thefts.
- American Bulldog – 63 thefts.
Where do stolen dogs get sold?
Some people sell stolen and lost animals for research and veterinary institutions that use dogs and cats for testing and biomedical experimentation. These groups are often referred to as
Class B dealers
. They are brokers who acquire their animals through flea markets, newspaper adds, and other less savory sources.
Is dog napping illegal?
Is dognapping a real crime?
Yes
. In most states, the crime is technically categorized as theft or grand theft. But it may be classified as burglary if the dognapper broke into a home to take the dog.
Is it a crime to take a dog?
This is because dog theft, as it stands in
current law, is not a specific crime
. Stolen pets are considered “objects” akin to your mobile phone or your bag, rather than a living animal and, as dog owners like Georgiou would argue, a member of the family.
Are dogs still being stolen?
The figures have revealed that an estimated 2,438 dogs were reported as stolen last year, which is a 19 per cent increase from 2019 – and unfortunately only
22 per cent of stolen dogs were reunited
with their owners.
What should I do if someone steals my dog?
Immediately
report the theft to the police
. Make sure it’s reported as theft and not a lost animal, it’s okay to be proactive and persistent. Report the loss to your local council’s warden, neighbouring local authorities, your vet and your dog’s microchip company.
What do Dognappers do with dogs?
Dognapping is
a crime in which someone will steal your dog and sell it on for profit
. Dog breeds can command a large amount of money, making them an attractive target for thieves looking to cash in.
How do I protect my dog from theft?
- Keep An Eye At All Times. …
- Secure Your Garden. …
- Don’t Leave Your Dog In Your Car. …
- Don’t Leave Your Dog Outside Shops. …
- Report Any Incidents. …
- Be Wary Of Strangers. …
- Collars, Tags & Microchips. …
- Keep Your Documents Safe.
How can I stop my dog theft UK?
Make sure your dog is
microchipped
and that you keep your contact details up-to-date, especially if you move home or change your telephone number. All puppies in the UK must legally be microchipped by eight weeks. Your dog should always wear a collar and ID tag with your name and address on it.
Is dog theft a crime UK?
Pet abduction is to be made a criminal offence in England
after a rise in reported thefts during Covid lockdowns. Theft of a pet is currently treated as a loss of an owner’s property, but ministers want a new law to acknowledge the emotional distress it can cause.
What is the most expensive dog breed?
- Chow Chow ($3,000 to $8,500)
- Lowchen ($5,000 to $8,000) …
- Rottweiler ($2,000 to $8,000) …
- Tibetan Mastiff ($2,200 to $7,000) …
- Akita ($1,500 to $4,500) …
- Pharaoh Hound ($2,500 to $6,500) …
- Saluki ($2,500) (foaloce/Shutterstock) …
- Irish Wolfhound ($1,500 to $2,000) (DragoNika/Shutterstock) …
