Highlands and Islands Regional MSP Tim Eagle is giving his strong backing to a proposed new law on dog theft.
The Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill has been formally introduced by fellow MSP Maurice Golden at Holyrood following a consultation phase. It would create a new offence targeting thieves who steal dogs, imposing stiff sentences and enhancing deterrence.
Mr Eagle, who runs a small sheep farm, said: “The loss of a much-loved family pet at the hands of thieves can be devastating for its owners.
“But for farmers and crofters, who rely on their sheepdogs to manage their flocks, the theft of their dog can have very serious consequences. A good sheepdog, as well as being a wonderful companion, is an essential part of many working farms and crofts, and are literally irreplaceable. This can make them a valuable commodity to unscrupulous criminals who hope to sell them on for considerable sums.
“Maurice Golden’s bill is a serious attempt to address the scourge of dog theft and, as a member of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee which will be scrutinising the bill, I look forward to working with Maurice to get the bill made law and hopefully offer dogs and their owners better protection in future.”
More information on the bill is available here - https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/s6/dog-theft-scotland-bill
