What action will the Minister take to curb pet theft given that the Pet Abduction Bill will not apply to Wales?
The theft of a pet is already a criminal offence. We appreciate the loss of a pet can be distressing and are in dialogue with Local Authorities and the police regarding a range of matters around dog ownership. We are working to provide education for owners to help them protect their animals, for example, ensuring microchipping data is current, not tying pets up outside shops, not leaving them unattended in gardens if not secure and not letting pets roam out of sight when out walking, all of which will feature in the ongoing work on Responsible Dog Ownership.
The Welsh Government retains the right to legislate on this area in future, should this be necessary.