Eastwood MSP, Jackson Carlaw is backing plans by his Scottish Conservative colleague, Maurice Golden MSP to introduce a new law to address the problem of dog thefts.
Mr Golden has launched a consultation on a proposed Members Bill and the objective is to make stealing a dog, a crime in it’s own right.
Should the legislation ultimately pass, it would both increase the punishment for people found guilty of dog theft and serve as a deterrent for committing a crime of this nature.
The legislation will enhance safety for dogs and owners.
The planned Members Bill is supported by major animal welfare charities and it has been estimated that dog thefts may have increased by up to 170 per cent during lockdown.
The consultation will now run for another 12 weeks until 16 January 2023 and Mr Carlaw is encouraging local people in Eastwood to make their views known on the proposed legislation before it progresses through the Scottish Parliament.
People can respond to the consultation through the following weblink - https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/proposals-for-bills/proposed-dog-abduction-scotland-bill.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Eastwood, Jackson Carlaw said:
“I’m delighted to be backing the much-needed proposals for a specific law to tackle dog thefts.
“The existing law only considers dogs in the same manner as household commodities and this clearly needs to be updated.
“Dogs are at the heart of many families in Eastwood and the Members Bill brought forward by my colleague Maurice Golden will ensure that the law reflects their importance to countless local households.
“Too many perpetrators of dog theft get away with it and it is clear that both stronger punishments and deterrents against this sort of behaviour are required.
“Now that the consultation is open on this bill, I would encourage everyone – not just dog owners – in Eastwood to respond with their views.
“That will give it the best possible chance of succeeding through the Scottish Parliament and ensure that we effectively tackle the problem of dog theft.”