Petition · Home Office

Ensure dog theft is always treated as a criminal matter, not a civil dispute

Open for signatures 8 signatures

What the petition asks

I believe the law on dog theft needs to be changed again. I am concerned that too many dogs are being stolen, and in many cases the police treat it as a civil matter.
When there is a dispute about who has the right to keep a dog (e.g. after a shared care arrangement or break-up), police often classify it as a civil dispute instead of investigating it as theft. Having a dog stolen is hard enough without having to fight to get them back. Dogs are family and I'm concerned this is happening to too many dogs.

Timeline

4 Aug 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 8
Status Open for signatures
Department Home Office
Opened 4 Aug 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 4 Aug 2026.