By Monidipa Fouzder2021-05-10T10:51:00+01:00
Pet thieves will feel the full force of the law, lord chancellor Robert Buckland has declared - with the Ministry of Justice, Home Office and Department for Food, Rural Affairs & Environment setting up a taskforce to investigate a reported surge in pet thefts.
The taskforce is part of wider measures to improve animal welfare standards that will be unveiled in the Queen’s speech tomorrow - including an Animal Sentience Bill that will enshrine animals’ feelings in law and draft legislation banning the import of hunting trophies and live animal exports.
Announcing the taskforce yesterday, the government said internet searches for ‘buy a puppy’ increased by 166% between March and August last year, and recent police investigations into dog theft resulted in numerous raids and arrests on suspicion of theft and animal cruelty.