Pet abduction is to become a specific criminal offence in England and Northern Ireland thanks to a campaign led by a Keele academic informed by their research. 

Dr Daniel Allen has spent the last seven years calling for a change in the law as one of the founders of the Pet Theft Reform campaign, urging ministers to make the abduction of pets a specific offence under criminal law. 

Previously pets were treated as property in the eyes of the law, meaning those found guilty would face relatively minor punishments such as community service or a fine, if they were convicted at all. 

But the passing of the Pet Abduction Bill means that those found guilty of pet theft in England and Northern Ireland will now face much stricter penalties. 

The Bill is due to receive Royal Assent later after passing through both the House of Commons and Lords earlier this year, meaning it will be enshrined in law within just a few months. 

Dr Allen’s evidence-based campaign and his research on the issue of pet theft, and its impact on families, was the catalyst that led to the Pet Abduction Bill being written, and he is now lobbying for similar changes to legislation in Scotland and Wales. 

Dr Allen said: “Pet Theft Reform is about family. With victims at the heart of the campaign, we recognise the importance of the human-animal bond, the devastating impact that animal abduction has on people and pets, and the need for pet abduction as a specific offence. Having campaigned since 2018, we are really pleased the Pet Abduction Bill recognises this. The new law will undoubtedly help many families across the country. 

“It has taken seven years of campaigning alongside the Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance (Sampa) for pet abduction to be formally recognised as a specific offence in England and Northern Ireland. Thank you to everyone who supported Pet Theft Reform in this time.” 

Anna Firth MP, who sponsored the bill through the House of Commons, said: “Our pets are part of our families. They comfort us when we are down and give us a huge amount of laughter, energy and joy when we are up—and, in fact, all the time. They make a house a home. That is why it is so heart-breaking when any one of our beloved pets is snatched away from us, and it is also why the taking, abducting or detaining of someone else’s beloved pet is such a sick and cruel crime. 

“As a nation of pet-lovers, it is vital that the law recognises the emotional impact that theft of a pet can have and brings the perpetrators to justice that correctly reflects this. Pets are not merely ornamental in our lives – they are sentient beings, and it is not right that the law didn't recognise this.”