Justice Secretary Robert Buckland QC MP’s legislation will reflect the fact that stealing a pet can be cruel to the animal and traumatic to its owner.

During lockdown, dog thefts rose by almost a fifth, with as many as seven pets a day being reported as stolen last year.

Dognappers largely get away with their crimes. In London, a hotspot for the practice, charges were brought in less than 10 per cent of cases.

The proposed changes are contained in a report that is being finalised by the UK government’s pest theft taskforce and will be published in the coming weeks.

The taskforce heard evidence that the soaring cost of pets has attracted organised crime groups.

A government source said: “Instead of making a tokenistic change to the law, we have been listening to charities, breeders and the police to get a better understanding of what we need to do to tackle this awful crime.

“Part of the package will be a new offence to better reflect the fact that for most people, pets are not just property and having one stolen is traumatic for both the owner and the pet.

“A purpose-made new offence will do this and mean that those who steal pets will face tougher sentences than they do at the moment.”