Dog Theft (Scotland) Act 2026 Creates a Standalone Offence for Stealing a Dog

The Scottish Parliament passed the Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill by 119 votes to two in December 2025, and it became the Dog Theft (Scotland) Act 2026 in February 2026. For the first time in Scotland, stealing a dog is treated as its own criminal offence rather than being prosecuted the same way as theft of property such as a television or a laptop. The offence carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both, and stealing an assistance dog is treated as an aggravated offence that can attract a tougher sentence.

The Act also allows victims to give the court a statement describing the physical, emotional and financial impact of having a dog stolen, and it requires the Scottish Government to collect and publish annual data on dog theft so the true scale of the problem is better understood. Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown told Parliament that dog theft causes real distress to families who regard their dogs as part of the household. The change brings Scotland closer into line with England and Northern Ireland, where a similar pet abduction offence covering both dogs and cats, with the same five-year maximum, has already been in place.

Industry estimates have put UK-wide dog theft at close to 1,800 dogs a year, with only around one in five ever returned to their owner. Animal welfare organisations, including the Scottish SPCA, welcomed the new law as recognition that dogs are sentient beings rather than replaceable property. For dog owners and breeders, the Act gives police and prosecutors a clearer route to pursue theft cases specifically, and it adds further incentive to keep microchip and ownership records accurate and up to date.