Islwyn MP calls for cats to be included in any new pet abduction offence

Mar 16, 2023

Islwyn MP, Chris Evans attended the All-Party Group on Cats (APGOCATS) drop-in on cat theft this week in Parliament.

 

The event was a chance to discuss cat theft with animal welfare charities and campaigners including Cats Protection. Cases of recorded cat theft have reached an all-time high according to data from Pet Theft Awareness.

 

The Cat Theft report 2022 has found that, in 2021, the number of cases has increased an astonishing 40% since 2020 and quadrupled since 2015.

 

Current proposals for a pet abduction offence only extend to dogs and APGOCATS is calling for cats to also be protected. While this new offence only applies in England, the Welsh Minister for Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths MS, said that the Welsh Government is continuing to ‘discuss the proposed UK Government’s new criminal laws and how [they] can collaborate to tackle this serious issue”

 

Chris Evans MP said

 

‘Pets are invaluable members of our families, providing comfort, support and happiness. I know many of my constituents care deeply about this issue.

 

That is why I was proud to join animal welfare charities, including Cats Protection and Battersea Cats and Dogs home, in Parliament to hear about the work they are doing to change the law to include cats.

 

Pet theft is not a simple matter of theft of an item and nor should it be treated as such by the law. I am pleased that the Welsh Government are discussing with the UK Government on these proposals. I believe it is vital that we together to stop this appalling crime.’

 

Charlotte Broad, Advocacy and Government Relations Officer for Cats Protection added

“We know that 90% of cat owners see their pet as part of the family; so a decision to exclude cats from any new offence would be of extreme concern to Cats Protection and the millions of cat owners across the country. Cats Protection are delighted that so many parliamentarians have spoken up for cats on this important issue.” 

Related Posts

Shadow Tech Minister talks AI at Microsoft event

Shadow Tech Minister talks AI at Microsoft event

Islwyn MP Chris Evans spoke this week at a well-attended Westminster reception on AI hosted by Microsoft. In his capacity as Shadow Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy, he talked with AI specialists on the opportunities that AI presents, and highlighted the...

Chris Evans MP recognises World Cancer Day

Chris Evans MP recognises World Cancer Day

Islwyn MP Chris Evans has today attended Cancer Research UK’s event at Westminster, supporting World Cancer Day. Cancer is responsible for around a quarter of the deaths that occur nationally each year. But progress is being made: over the last 40 years, cancer...