Dog thieves should be slapped with harsher sentences due to the emotional trauma suffered by owners, a Conservative MP will argue.
An MP is to call for harsher sentences for dog thieves
An MP is to call for harsher punishments for dog thieves Credit: PA
Gareth Johnson, MP for Dartford, has said the justice system should focus more on the effect on families whose pets are stolen, instead of focusing primarily on the cash impact.
He will today lead a debate in Parliament highlighting problems in the way such crimes are reported, and the sentencing of offenders – insisting that there is a need to disrupt criminal gangs who target family pets.
Whilst microchipping will go some way to help prevent theft, there is still an under-reporting of dog theft and there is a need to clampdown on the criminal gangs who steal family pets.
This can only be done if offences are properly reported and recorded and the sentences given by the courts reflect the seriousness of the offence.
– GARETH JOHNSON MP