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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce legislation to make pet theft a specific criminal offence.

The Government fully understands the deep distress caused by the theft of a much-loved pet and recognises that the theft of a sentient creature is different from an item of property, however valuable. All reported crimes should be taken seriously, investigated and, where appropriate, taken through the courts and met with tough sentences.

The Government's Pet Theft Taskforce has been set up to recommend any necessary measures – legislative and non-legislative - to tackle this crime and consists of Government officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Home Office and Ministry of Justice along with operational partners. The Taskforce is considering the issue from end to end, including causes, prevention, reporting, enforcement, prosecution and sentencing, and is examining every option available to make sure perpetrators feel the full force of the law.

The taskforce is due to report its recommendations this summer.