Law goes to the dogs

The Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill, was passed by 119 votes to two.

Maurice Golden MSP, who championed the bill, believes creating a specific offence will increase prosecution rates for dog theft, though his reasoning is unclear.

Mr Golden also said he thinks the law could “make a huge difference to dogs and to the many families across Scotland to whom they are so special”.

He also claimed that the law has been strengthened by duplicating already existing law, but failed to explain the manner in which it had been strengthened.

He added: “To this point, there simply wasn’t enough deterrence when it came to dog theft. This strengthening of the law will change that, and help police and other justice authorities clamp down on this disgraceful crime.

“Dogs are our best friends and deserve more – I hope this new law can help deliver that.”

Community safety minister Siobhian Brown told Holyrood that she herself was a dog owner and a “dog lover”.

She said: “To lose a much-loved dog and to lose it to theft is horrendous. As a dog owner and a dog lover, I recognise the emotional benefits they bring to our lives. Dogs can lift our mood, provide companionship, and they are treated as members of the family.”

Some 1,808 dogs were stolen across the UK in 2024, with only one in five returned to its owner, according to Direct Line Pet Insurance.