BATTERSEA COMMENT ON GOVERNMENT’S PET THEFT REPORT
Battersea’s Chief Executive, Peter Laurie, mentioned: “We are actually happy to see the Government recognise the true worth of pets, it’s one thing Battersea has lengthy been calling for. As any proprietor will let you know, their pets are greater than property – they’re a beloved member of the household. Losing a pet is heart-breaking beneath any circumstances however having them cruelly snatched away provides additional misery to proprietor and animal alike. We hope that the introduction of a brand new ‘pet abduction offence’ will allow legislation enforcement to crack down on this horrible crime and stop extra harrowing incidents of animals being taken from their house owners.
“Since obligatory microchipping was launched 5 years in the past, we have now been recommending modifications wanted to make the system more practical. Recent analysis from Battersea discovered that 74 per cent of stray canine didn’t at the moment have a microchip with up-to-date contact particulars and sadly some had been unable to be reunited with their house owners. Introducing new extra necessities for microchip particulars is a step in the correct path to getting extra animals again in to their properties the place they belong. We welcome the Government’s plans to enhance the microchipping system by simplifying entry to databases and making it simpler for folks to trace a lacking pet. Not solely will this assist sort out pet theft, it can additionally assist take care of different animal welfare points together with reuniting lacking pets with their house owners and decreasing the variety of strays on the streets.”