Petition · past parliament · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Make unlawfully killing a pet a specific offence with sentences equal to murder

Closed 1,825 signatures

What the petition asks

We believe current legislation does not treat unlawful killing of a pet with the seriousness it merits. Currently people killing a pet can be charged with criminal damage or animal cruelty, but we want this to be made a specific criminal offence, with sentences equal to those for murder.

Timeline

10 Oct 2022 Petition opened for signatures
10 Apr 2023 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 1,825
Status Closed
Department Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Opened 10 Oct 2022
Closed 10 Apr 2023

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.