Pet abduction is to be made a new criminal offence in England after a “worrying” rise in reported thefts during COVID lockdowns.
Although stolen animals are currently treated as a loss of property, this won’t be the case under an upcoming legislation change which is to take into account and recognise the emotional distress that comes from the loss of a pet.
According to the government, the new offence of pet abduction will also prioritise the missing animal’s welfare and will help police to track incidents and offenders.
Sentencing guidelines have not yet been finalised, but previous reports have suggested that the offence could carry a prison sentence of up to five years.
Chris Sherwood – Chief Executive at the RSPCA – said the new pet abduction offence would recognise the “seriousness” of the crime, adding: “We hope this will encourage courts to hand out much tougher sentences to pet thieves.”
The proposal for the introduction of the criminal offence is one of a string of recommendations in a report by the Pet Theft Taskforce – which was set up in May 2021 to tackle an increase in incidents during lockdown, and is comprised of government officials, police, prosecutors, and local authorities.
The new offence of pet abduction would also prioritise the missing animal’s welfare and will help police to track incidents and offenders / Credit: Flickr
After receiving evidence from animal welfare groups, campaigners, academics and other experts, the taskforce found that around 2,000 dogs were reported stolen last year.
Its report also found that seven in 10 pet thefts recorded by police involved dogs.
Quoting data from animal charity Dogs Trust, the taskforce’s report said that the price for five of the UK’s most desirable dog breeds grew “significantly” during the first nationwide lockdown – with some rising as high as 89%.
The taskforce suggested this potentially made dog theft more appealing to criminals seeking to profit from the spike in demand for pets.
Addressing the findings of the taskforce and responding to the report, Environment Secretary George Eustice said the pandemic has seen “the price of pets increase sharply” which has “created a stronger incentive for these criminal gangs”, adding that: “Pets are much loved members of the family in households up and down the country, and reports of a rise in pet theft have been worrying.
“Pet owners shouldn’t have to live in fear, and I am pleased this report acknowledges the unique distress caused by this crime.
“Its recommendations will reassure pet owners, help the police to tackle pet theft, and deliver justice for victims.”
The taskforce’s report said that the price for five of the UK’s most desirable dog breeds grew “significantly” / Credit: Unsplash (Graham Holtshausen)
The taskforce’s recommendations in the report also included:
Requiring additional information when registering a microchip, especially when transferring ownership.
More straightforward access to the different microchip databases available to make it easier to track lost or stolen dogs.
Improving collection and recording of data on pet thefts.
Further initiatives by police and others to raise awareness about prevention tips.
Officials hope the proposals by the taskforce will make it more difficult for thieves to abduct and sell on pets, make it easier for police to apprehend offenders, and that sentences and penalties handed to offenders will reflect the impact on the animal.
The UK government will now look into implementing the report’s findings and introducing the pet abduction offence.
Featured Image – Pixabay
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Greater Manchester Mayors deliver update on Salford Red Devils situation
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham revealed details from the minutes of his meeting with the Rugby Football League (RFL) over the August bank holiday, sharing key updates from the crucial sit-down in hopes of securing the future of Salford Red Devils.
The Mayor and his Salford counterpart, Paul Dennett, met with chief executive Tony Sutton and other key RFL figures to discuss the ongoing crisis at Salford Red Devils, who remain on the brink of collapse.
Supporters marched on the streets of 0161’s second city in the immediate aftermath, expressing their dismay at the continuing struggles both behind the scenes and off the pitch, and Burnham was quick to call a meeting with the RFL as a result. The fans have remained in full voice throughout.
Posting a joint statement on social media, the pair wrote: “We would like to take the opportunity to thank the RFL and clubs across the Super League for their ongoing commitment to assist Salford Red Devils in fulfilling all other fixtures and get the club to the end of the season.
“Following that meeting, we have requested a meeting this Friday with the Jacobsen Management Group, the current owners, to discuss our serious concerns over the future of the club.
“The impending HMRC court hearing, the failure to meet tax obligations, the delay in payment of wages, and the lack of financial investment have resulted in a complete loss of confidence in the ownership among fans and the wider Salford and rugby community.”
Stating that “Salford Red Devils [still] face an uncertain future”, leading fan group The 1873 confessed that while it has been seen as a “welcome step”, it nevertheless “felt short of reassurance and commitment we’d hoped for.”
In short, they said: “We will no longer sit back while the club we love is reduced to a shell by those who do not speak to us, do not listen, and do not understand what Salford means.” They also called out the somewhat one foot in, one foot out ownership group and so-called current ‘stewards’ of the club directly.
You can read their response in full down below.
Yesterday’s statement from Andy Burnham & Paul Dennett is a welcome step, but not the one Salford fans wanted.
It felt short of reassurance and commitment we’d hoped for.
The future of the club and community deserves more.
Furthermore, Burnham and Dennett went on to add: “Following discussions between the parties involved, there is clear agreement that Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Salford City Council and the Rugby Football League are resolute in their commitment to safeguard the club.
“We are committed to working together to secure the long-term future of the club, to implement a city-wide rugby strategy, and to honour the generations of players, supporters, and communities who have carried its spirit through more than 150 years of rugby league.”
What about you, Salford Red Devils fans – what did you make of both statements, and how hopeful are you that the storm will clear around the club?
Plans to expand Greater Manchester’s tram network progress after £6m funding boost
Emily Sergeant
Plans for new tram and train connections across Greater Manchester have taken a big step forward after a £6m funding boost.
Last month, Mayor Andy Burnham and local council leaders pledged for 90% of people in Greater Manchester to be within a five-minute walk of a bus or tram that comes at least every 30 minutes by 2030 – and now, plans to deliver this strategy are one step closer to becoming reality thanks to significant investment.
Transport leaders have now confirmed a pipeline of ‘rapid transit’ schemes for the future.
£6 million of funding was signed-off by the Bee Network Committee earlier last week, following plans being discussed by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
The work is all part of a wider plan, known as the Greater Manchester Strategy, to link every borough in Greater Manchester up the Metrolink network – with a long-term plan for major expansion of the Bee Network.
Plans to expand Greater Manchester’s tram network have progressed after a £6m funding boost / Credit: TfGM
Some of the major projects this £6m funding will pay for advancing planning towards include finalising strategies for extending the Metrolink to Stockport from East Didsbury this autumn, with construction to begin in 2030, and beginning strategy work on the completion of the Metrolink Airport Line ‘Western Leg’ – which would serve a number of ‘key growth areas’ at the Airport, Wythenshawe Hospital, and Davenport Green.
Another important project the funding will go towards is the preparation of the Strategic Outline Case for expanding Metrolink connections to Salford Crescent and Salford Quays, and out to the north west of the region – including potential options for links to Leigh, Wigan, and Bolton.
Work will also continue on plans for an Oldham-Rochdale-Heywood-Bury tram-train route too – with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says its leaders are aiming for construction on the scheme to begin in 2028.
Mayor Andy Burnham says the funding with help connect all 10 boroughs to the Metrolink / Credit: TfGM
“This latest funding means we can develop the case for a pipeline of both tram and tram-train new lines and extensions – and ultimately underground infrastructure in the city centre – to make sure we get a public transport system befitting the global city region we are.”
Emily Sergeant -
3rd September 2021 
