Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm what action the Welsh Government is taking to mitigate pet thefts?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs | Answered on 11/04/2025
We continue to look at ways to provide education for owners to help them protect their animals and safeguard from theft. This is promoted through our Responsible Dog Breeding and Ownership work and my officials are also working with the other administrations to monitor and evaluate the current microchipping platform, with improvements expected to make it easier to reunite pets with their owners.
Whilst the theft of a pet is already a criminal offence under the Theft Act 1968, the Welsh Government retains the right to legislate on this area in future, should this be necessary.