Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 16 March 2022
I agree that there are always ways in which we could improve the data to which we have access. I take that point.
Police Scotland has indicated that, while it does not as yet have statistics for 2021-22, its impression is that levels of dog theft have since fallen and have returned to what they were previously.
It is estimated that there are at least 600,000 dogs in Scotland. In that context, the scale of theft is low, although the theft of a loved family pet is undoubtedly a traumatic experience. As members have noted, dogs are not objects. When they are stolen, that can cause considerable upset. When a person’s pet is lost or stolen, monetary value will be the last thing on their mind. Posters have been put up by people who have lost their pet dog or cat offering rewards for their return that are many times higher than the pet’s monetary value because of the value that the pet has to them.
I am aware of Maurice Golden’s view that the best way for the justice system to address the harm that is posed by the theft of pets is to create a specific statutory offence. My understanding is that the member considers that that would recognise that the theft of a dog can have a serious effect on its owner. I agree that it is important for the criminal justice system to be able to deal effectively with perpetrators of dog theft. As members will know, and as discussed in the debate, theft is a common law offence in Scotland. The maximum penalty that can be imposed is limited only by the sentencing powers of the court in which the offender is being sentenced. I have heard concerns that when an offender is sentenced for theft, the court will be concerned with only the value of the item that has been stolen. However, I do not think that that is the case. Courts are well used to taking into account the facts and circumstances of each case. When sentencing a person for the theft of a dog or other pet, a court would take into account the fact that the offender had stolen a beloved family pet and the impact that that would have had.
Of course, we will consider carefully any bill that is lodged that proposes a specific dog theft offence. A key question is whether that would bring greater transparency to how the justice system responds to those kinds of offences and whether it would provide reassurance to victims that the impact that those crimes have had has been taken into account when perpetrators are sentenced.