Link to Commons debate.

Animal Theft Bill 2016

A bill to introduce a separate law for the theft of animals, carrying a greater penalty.

BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Temporal, and the Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

1: Definitions

(1) A person is guilty of animal theft if he dishonestly appropriates an animal belonging to another with the intention of permanently, or temporarily, depriving the other of it; and “thief” and “steal” shall be construed accordingly.

(2) A “guide dog” is a dog that has been trained to lead a blind person.

(3) For the sake of this bill, an “assistive animal” is an animal that has been trained to aid someone that is suffering from a debilitating illness that requires help from an animal.

2: Law and Punishment

(1) If a person is found guilty of stealing an animal, they will face a prison sentence of up to a maximum 10 years.

(a) The only exception to this is if a person takes an animal to protect it from abuse, neglect or any other form of cruelty.

(b) If a person is found guilty of stealing an animal, they will not be permitted to own an animal, or accommodate an animal on their property, for no less than 7 years after being found guilty of violating Section (2), Part (1) of this bill.

(i) The only exception to this being that the use of a guide dog or other assistive animal is required for the guilty person as a result of severe visual impairment or any disability that elevates the need for a dog or other animal, determined by a National Health Service Professional.

(c) If a person is found to have violated Section (2), Part (b) of this bill, they will face a fine of no less than £2,000, and a prison sentence of up to a maximum 30 months.

(d) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a person from also being convicted of separate offences under existing legislation.

3: Extent, Commencement, and Short Title

(1) This bill shall extend to the whole of the United Kingdom.

(2) This bill shall come into force immediately after Royal Assent.

(3) This bill may be cited as the Animal Theft Act 2016.

This was written by /u/real-friends and sponsored by the Right Honourable /u/InfernoPlato MP AL.

The voting period for this bill will end at 10PM BST on the 20th of November.

Vote Aye, No or Abstain. Comments with anything else will be deleted. Comments that are edited will be void and not counted.

If a member is voting by proxy, they must have gained permission from the speaker prior to this vote. If no permission was sought and granted, their vote will not be counted.

For full clarifications on the voting system see this post.