Pet abduction becomes a specific offence in NI

Animal charities say pet abduction is not that common in Northern Ireland

"A pet being stolen from the family just can't be replaced like your TV or your laptop."

As a manager at Assisi Animal Sanctuary in Newtownards, Anna Morton knows all too well how important a pet is to an owner.

Until today, pets were treated as property rather than sentient beings.

From Saturday, the Pet Abduction Act changes that.

Under the legislation, anyone found guilty of taking a cat, or taking or detaining a dog, could face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.

Anna Morton is the manager of an animal sanctuary in Newtownards

The impact of abduction on the animal's welfare will be taken into account, as will the interests of the owner.

Anna Morton said it was the right thing to do.

"Pets are family members, they're not objects - they're living, breathing, feeling - just like you or I," she outlined.

Animal charities have described the change as potentially "one of the most significant animal welfare laws of recent times".

'Pets are family members'

The USPCA said the legislation was "an important step forward in giving our pet companions the recognition they deserve".

Its chief executive, Nora Smith, described pets as "our family members, our best friends", adding that "the abduction of a pet is distressing and causes emotional harm not only to the owner but to the pet as well".

Dogs Trust manager Conor O'Kane said it was an overdue change

At the Dogs Trust in Ballymena, manager Conor O'Kane said it was a long overdue change.

"We've been campaigning for quite some time, so it's just really nice to see it coming to this point.

"And it means we are a bit more protected now as dog and cat owners that these things will be taken a bit more seriously with higher consequences if they are ever stolen."

According to animal charities, pet abduction is not a common occurrence in Northern Ireland.

But one man who is a certified pet detective believes it could be happening every day.

Robert Kenny said the legislation was "a big deterrent" and could reduce numbers "by 30%".

And the PSNI dealt with a case in February 2024 when a collie dog was stolen from a property in Omagh and remains missing.

Insp Beatty said pets are very much part of the family.

"It’s cruel for any individual to take what is not theirs, and police very much welcome the new Pet Abduction Act coming into force, which will enable appropriate action to be taken to bring offenders to justice," they continued.

A PSNI spokesperson said they welcome the implementation of the law

'Unscrupulous people who abduct'

The agriculture, environment and rural affairs minister also welcomed the legislation.

Andrew Muir said it was intended to deal with "the unscrupulous people who abduct a dog or cat".

"It does not intend to criminalise genuinely kind behaviour to cats and dogs that people do not own," he added.

"Therefore, there are a number of safeguards and exemptions set out in the Act to ensure that innocent behaviour is outside of the scope of the offences.”

Those safeguards include making efforts to have the animal collected or reunited with its owner.

The offence of pet abduction does not apply in the case of a relationship breakdown.

And there is scope in the legislation for it to be amended in future to cover the abduction of other animals commonly kept as pets.