The Pet Abduction Act 2024 creates specific offences for the abduction of cats and dogs, which the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) says recognises that they are not mere property but sentient beings.

The intention of the new offences is that it will allow courts to place greater focus on the impact on the welfare of the animal as well as the interests of the owner when deciding penalties rather than the financial loss, which for some animals may not be significant.

DAERA minister Andrew Muir said: “I appreciate how important dogs and cats are to their owners in Northern Ireland.

“As part of families, they provide companionship and joy and also support and comfort through difficult times. That is why it is so distressing for owners when one of their beloved pets is abducted or detained, in what is a very cruel crime.

“I therefore welcome the introduction of bespoke criminal offences for pet abduction in Northern Ireland.”

The maximum penalty on conviction for cat or dog abduction is up to five years in prison, or a fine or both.

As the new offences are centered on the impact on the animal, this maximum penalty aligns with other serious animal welfare offences under the Welfare of Animals (Northern Ireland) Act 2011.

Mr Muir added: “The new legislation is intended to deal with the unscrupulous people who abduct a dog or cat.

“It does not intend to criminalise genuinely kind behaviour to cats and dogs that people do not own. Therefore, there are a number of safeguards and exemptions set out in the Act to ensure that innocent behaviour is outside of the scope of the offences.”