An Ayrshire Tory is backing proposals to introduce a specific law to tackle dog thefts.
West Scotland MSP Jamie Greene is backing his colleague Maurice Golden who proposed a Members Bill which would see stealing a dog as a crime in its own right.
The move comes after animal welfare charities estimated dog thefts went up 170 percent during lockdown.
If successful, the new law would not only increase punishments for those found guilty of the crime, but also act as a deterrent and improve safety for dogs and owners in West of Scotland.
A consultation is now underway until January 16, 2023 and Mr Greene is urging everyone to give their views ahead of it progressing through the Scottish Parliament.
He said: “When it comes to theft, the law currently view dogs like any other property such as your phone - that must change.
“Too many criminals who steal dogs are getting away with it: the punishment and the deterrents need to be stronger.
“With the consultation open on this bill, I would encourage everyone – not just dog owners – to respond with their views.
“That will give it the best possible chance of succeeding through the Scottish Parliament and ensuring that we clamp down on those who steal dogs.”
His South Scotland Tory colleague, Brian Whittle, said: "As someone who’s had dogs for much of their life, I know how important they can be to people.
"While dogs were a great comfort to many people during the pandemic, they also became a greater target for thieves looking to turn a profit.
"The loss of a dog can be an incredibly painful experience but all too often, even when the thief is caught, their punishment doesn’t recognise how much an owner has suffered.
"Many of us see our dogs as a member of the family, but currently the law treats them as any other household item.
"This legislation gives us the chance to change that, and I hope people will lend their support to this bill and contribute to the consultation process.”
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