The Scottish SPCA welcomes the passing of the Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill – a major step forward in improving animal welfare across Scotland.
By making dog theft a standalone offence and introducing tougher penalties, the new legislation recognises the seriousness of this cruel act and the immense emotional harm it causes victims.
Dogs are not property – they are sentient beings who provide companionship, stability and emotional support. They are part of the family. When a dog is stolen from its home, the trauma can be heart-wrenching for both the animal and the owner.
Theft of an assistance (helper) dog an aggravated offence
The charity also welcomes the decision to make the theft of an assistance (helper) dog an aggravated offence, recognising the vital role these animals play in keeping their owners safe and independent in their daily life.
The bill will also bring much-needed consistency across data collection on dog theft, which to date has made tracking offenders and sentencing outcomes an extremely difficult task. We hope the reporting system introduced by the Bill will help bridge these gaps and improve the reliability of the information held on these cases.
The law finally recognises the seriousness of this crime
Nicola Strachan, Head of Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships at The Scottish SPCA, said: “The passing of the Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill is an incredible milestone for animal welfare in Scotland. By making dog theft a standalone offence, the law finally recognises the seriousness of this crime and the profound harm it causes to both animals and the people who love them.
“Dogs are sentient beings, not commodities that can easily be replaced. When a dog is stolen, the impact is devastating.”
Under the new law, offenders could face up to five years in prison and an unlimited fine, bringing greater accountability and better fitting punishments to those who commit this devastating crime.
Preventing more families from being plunged into the emotional turmoil it causes
We hope the new legislation will deter further instances of dog theft, preventing more families from being plunged into the emotional turmoil it causes.
The Bill’s passage ensures Scotland keeps pace with protections already in place in England and Northern Ireland. This is a significant victory for dogs and the people who love them.
However, more still needs to be done to ensure Scotland becomes the best place in the world for an animal to call home.
Our 2026 manifesto sets out four key reforms to ensure we accomplish our mission. These crucial legislative changes, include a National Animals Offenders Register, a review of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act and embedding animal welfare into the Scottish curriculum.
A significant step forward
Nicola Strachan added: “This legislation sends a clear message that dog theft will be treated with the seriousness it deserves. While this is a significant step forward, it must be the foundation for wider reform.
“Our 2026 manifesto sets out further actions needed to make Scotland the best place in the world for an animal to call home, and we will continue working with policymakers to ensure this momentum is not lost.”
All animals in Scotland deserve to live a healthy and safe life. Ensuring they have these protections should be a paramount priority for all policymakers and every member of the public. We all have a role to play in making sure today’s bill is only the beginning.
Read the full manifesto here.
To report any act of cruelty visit our website here.
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