Dogs Trust Welcomes Introduction of New Pet Theft Law
DOGS Trust, the UK’s leading dog welfare charity, has
welcomed the new Pet Abduction Act which comes into force on:- Saturday, 24
August 2024.
From 24 August, anyone found guilty of stealing a dog in England or Northern
Ireland will face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both. Previously,
despite the very distressing nature of having a dog stolen, pet theft has not
been a specific crime and has instead been treated in the same way as the theft
of household items such as phones and bikes.
Under the new Pet Abduction Act, dogs and cats are no longer treated as
inanimate objects, but instead are recognised as sentient beings, capable of
experiencing emotional trauma when they are stolen from their owners.
Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director at Dogs Trust says:- "We are delighted
to see the Pet Abduction Act come into force, and that it recognises the
emotional bond between dog and owner. For years, Dogs Trust has called for
harsher penalties to deter those who profit from this despicable crime and to
tackle the issue of pet theft here in the UK. Having your beloved pet stolen is
an extremely stressful, heart-breaking experience. For most owners, pets are
members of the family, and being separated from them, without knowing where they
are, is devastating. However, despite the obvious emotional impact pet theft has
on families and owners, until now it has been treated no differently to mobile
phone or laptop theft. Along with this new law, there are other ways owners can
reduce the chances of this despicable crime happening to you. Never leave your
dog unattended, especially in a public area, and if you are walking them off
lead, always keep them in sight. You should also be careful with what details
you share online about your canine companions. Not only is it a legal
requirement for your dog to wear a collar and ID tag in a public place and to be
microchipped, these 2 simple steps will also help to get your dog home to you as
quickly as possible if the worst does happen.”
To help owners reduce the risk of their dog being stolen, Dogs Trust has issued
the following advice:-
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Ensure your house and property boundaries are secure; keep your dog in and intruders out.
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If you leave your dog in the garden, make sure it is secure so that thieves cannot enter.
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Do you post pictures of your dog on social media? If so, regularly review your privacy settings and make sure your address can’t be identified from your posts.
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When exercising your dog, always keep them in sight and pay attention to what they are doing. If exercising your dog off lead, make sure they have good recall and come back to you when you call them, regardless of where they are.
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Never leave your dog unattended in a public place; even if it's just for a minute.
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Likewise, never leave your dog alone in a car. As well as the risk of being stolen, they can also easily overheat, even if the weather is mild.
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Make sure your dog is searchable in case the worst should happen. Ensure your dog is wearing a tag with:- your name, phone number and address on it, and make sure your dog is microchipped. Let your database provider know if you move house or any of your contact details change, and keep up to date, clear photos of your dog, making sure to show any distinctive features.
If the worst does happen and your dog is stolen, you can feel helpless and have no idea where to start looking for them. Dogs Trust suggests the following:-
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Report the theft to the Police straight away. Make sure you get a crime reference number and insist that your dog is recorded as stolen and not missing.
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Report the theft of your dog to your local authority dog warden.
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Notify your microchip database provider.
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Ask local rescue centres, animal charities and vet practices to keep an eye out for your dog.
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Monitor places thieves may try to sell your dog, like pet websites and notice boards. Notify the Police immediately if you come across anything.
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Use missing and stolen animal websites such as:- DogLost which help to reunite missing pets with their owners by offering free advice and support.
For more information on preventing dog theft and
what to do if your dog is stolen, please visit:-
DogsTrust.Org.UK.
Student nominated for International Conservation Award
AN award winning student and wildlife enthusiast has
been nominated for an international conservationist prize. Lyndon Howson, has
been nominated for a:- 'People of Nature Awards' by:- 'We
Naturalists' in the category of:- 'Conservationist of the Year'
Fauna for his work in native species conservation and ecology, focusing
on integrating youth governance to promote environmental stewardship and
sustainable practices.
The 27 year old from:- Grange Over Sands, is described as committed to driving
nature recovery and fostering community involvement and has spearheaded
successful partnership initiatives and played leadership roles in environmental
projects. He brings a passion for advocacy and a track record of impactful
contributions to native mammal conservation.
Lyndon, who recently received a 1st class honours degree in Zoology from the
University of Chester, is no stranger to winning awards. He was awarded the:-
'Mammal Champion Award' earlier this year by the Mammal Society in
recognition of his outstanding dedication and leadership in volunteering as
project coordinator for the student led:- 'Hedgehog Friendly Campus
Project' at the University. Over the past 18 months, Lyndon has
transformed the initiative from a small team of 7 volunteers to an impressive
force of over 170 individuals, who have registered their interest in helping
hedgehogs. Hedgehog Friendly Campus is a national accreditation programme funded
in part by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) and delivered by
Students Organising for Sustainability UK (SOS-UK).
He also received the F.W. Hooper Prize from the School of Natural Sciences which
is awarded annually to the student for consistently producing work of a high
standard. He will continue his studies with a Master’s by Research on the role
schools can play in hedgehog conservation at the University of Chester later
this year.
Lyndon recently presented his hedgehog work at:- Chester SciBar, at Storyhouse,
alongside Olivia Maidment, from:- Chester Zoo who discussed the Hedgehog Watch
research the zoo is carrying out. Lyndon said:- "I'm so proud to be
nominated for this international award recognising my efforts in native species
conservation, particularly with hedgehogs, as well as my work in youth
governance. My specialism in public speaking and engagement allows me to
effectively communicate the needs and interests of my peers. Through my
experience collaborating with volunteers, local councillors and community
groups, I have promoted native species conservation and provided a voice for
young people."
Charlotte Smith, Director of Conservation Education, at Chester Zoo, said:-
"With so much wildlife under threat across the UK, the work of passionate
individuals like Lyndon is more vital than ever. We’re delighted to have been
able to support Lyndon as a member of our Chester Zoo Youth Board, and work with
him as a collaborator on our Hedgehog Watch citizen science project and during
the development of our National Lottery Heritage Fund supported Networks for
Nature project, an ambitious landscape-scale project which aims to bring
communities and conservationists together to support the conservation of UK
species across the Chester area. As a conservation zoo that’s all about
inspiring the next generation of conservationists, it’s wonderful to work with
talented young wildlife enthusiasts like Lyndon and see him recognised on the
international conservation stage."
Jo Wilkinson, Senior Project Manager, Hedgehog Friendly Campus said:-
"Lyndon is the University of Chester’s student hedgehog champion for Hedgehog
Friendly Campus, a programme funded by the British Hedgehog Preservation
Society. Lyndon has not only implemented the programme brilliantly but has also
significantly expanded its reach and impact. Under his leadership, the project
has seen remarkable growth, with the number of volunteers nearly tripling in the
past year. Lyndon's passion and commitment to empowering the next generation of
environmental leaders have been instrumental in fostering a culture of
conservation on campus and beyond. Lyndon’s dedication to youth advocacy and
environmental stewardship has left an indelible mark on the programme.”
Dr Krista McLennan, Head of the School of Natural Sciences, at the University of
Chester, said:- "We are extremely proud of Lyndon’s achievements and the
nomination for this award. Lyndon has been fully dedicated not only to his
studies but to also his local community, representing the School’s mission
wholeheartedly. It is great to see Lyndon being recognised through this
nomination for his work in nature conservation. Lyndon has clearly used the
knowledge gained from his degree to the fullest to have a positive impact on
nature. We hope that Lyndon’s continuation with us will allow him to achieve
even more and continue to inspire other students coming through our courses to
carry on with this vital work in conservation of our native flora and fauna.”