A new criminal offence of 'pet abduction' will come into force in August in England and Northern Ireland after legislation was pushed through on the final day of Parliament. It will make taking a cat, or taking or detaining a dog, a criminal offence. Supporters of the creation of the new offence said it would recognize the emotional impact caused by a pet being stolen.
Annabel Berdy, Senior Advocacy and Government Relations Officer for Cats Protection, said that a lack of specific legal protection for pets had allowed criminals 'free rein to target much-loved animals for their own gain.' The Pet Abduction law 'could be one of the most significant animal welfare laws of recent times.'
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