SO WE have a visitor usually during the holidays – my daughter’s Cockapoo called Baxter – the rest of the family come too but it is Baxter who is of course the star of the show.
We have not seen him for a very long time thanks to Covid – but he is absolutely part of the family and we would be gutted to lose him.
Pet theft is not treated with the seriousness it deserves and reform is urgently needed.
During the pandemic, dog ownership and prices have risen significantly – pet theft is now the worst it has ever been, rising in some areas by 250 per cent.Tragically, just 1 in 5 pets are ever returned to their owner.
Only about one per cent of pet thefts lead to charges.
Because punishments are often related to the monetary value of a pet, they usually result in trivial fines rather than imprisonment.
Although the Theft Act of 1968 allows a maximum penalty of up to seven years, this never seems to happen.
The majority of prison sentences awarded are less than six months. This Act is over 50 years old and may need amendment.
Pet theft is Low Risk and High Reward, attracting organised crime.
We know this and when crooks mimic RSPCA vans – we know it’s time to get it sorted.
A Dog Trust survey found that 99 per cent of respondents considered their pets to be a family member.
Any dog owner knows the real and intense pain felt when their pet is injured, dies or is stolen.
There are two ways that people can help:
The South West PCC Conservative candidates have produced an action plan to address this which is on my website with a place for people to sign if they agree that harsher penalties are required.
Please sign as we want to really put pressure on to get a change that will help deter criminals. Visit sidwick4dorset.org.uk/campaigns/harsher-penalties-pet-theft
The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners have a survey on dog theft that we also urge people to do, at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/dogtheft
PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS – IT’S FOR BAXTER AND ALL HIS MATES – LET’S KEEP THE FURRY FAMILY MEMBERS SAFE.
DAVID SIDWICK
PCC CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE