Ms Lisa O'Connor:

I thank the Cathaoirleach and members of the committee for giving me the opportunity to address them today. I am accompanied by Ms Brenda Fitzpatrick and Mrs. Louise O’Tuama from the dog rescue Working Animal Guardians. They are here to support me in a personal and professional capacity. Two ladies whose dogs were stolen and are still missing are also in the Public Gallery. Not only have they shared their experience with me but they trust me to advocate for them. I am here not just as a petitioner but as an advocate for all the families I help. I want to emphasise the emotional impact of losing a pet and the need for legal recognition of pets as more than mere property. Many years ago I had a cocker spaniel who went missing. I will never forget that feeling of hopelessness and having nowhere to turn for help. We did find her; she had got out of the house and was found not too far from home.

In 2020, as a concerned citizen, I started to notice a rise in missing and stolen dogs in Ireland being shared on Facebook. It reminded me of my personal experience and prompted me to set up my group, Missing/Stolen Animals Ireland, in the hope of helping others reunite with their missing dogs. Around 2021, it started rising considerably - dogs stolen to order, homes targeted, chips cut out of their bodies and dogs trafficked to the UK and further afield. Dogs were the new drugs. I started looking at Ireland’s theft laws specifically if a dog is stolen. I found out that Irish law considers dogs and other family pets to be mere property. This means that if someone steals a family pet such as a dog it is punished in the same way as if someone steals any non-living object such as a mobile phone or a power tool. I reached out to TDs, specifically justice Ministers and An Garda Síochána to understand what was being done to tackle this cruel crime. The Department of Justice under the previous Government looked at changing legislation specifically at how a dog might be classed but unfortunately it did not happen. I started an Uplift petition during the previous Government term. Today it stands at just over 10,000 signatures. Through my Facebook group, Missing/Stolen Animals Ireland, I have witnessed hundreds of dogs being stolen around Ireland in the past five years. The theft of pets is covered as stolen property in the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. The Justice Department will argue:

It is important to emphasise that theft offences already apply to this crime, and can carry very heavy penalties. The Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 provides for a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment in the case of offences of theft and handling of stolen property; while a maximum sentence of 5 years' imprisonment is provided for the offence of possession of stolen property.

When imposing sentence, judges are not limited to considering the monetary value of a pet – the emotional distress to the victim caused by the offence is absolutely relevant and can be, and is, taken into account where appropriate.

The current legal framework in Ireland, which treats pets as mere property, fails to recognise the unique bond between humans and their companion animals. Advocates argue that pets are not just possessions but integral members of families, providing companionship, emotional support and even essential services such as guiding individuals with disabilities. Pet theft is a deeply distressing crime that impacts families emotionally and disrupts their lives.

Since 2020, there has been a significant increase in reported cases of missing and stolen dogs in Ireland with many being trafficked or used for illegal purposes. While there has been a decrease in reported dog thefts in 2025, the issue persists. The lack of accurate recording and data collection by An Garda Síochána complicates understanding the full scope of the issue as data on stolen pets is not systematically tracked in the PULSE system. This has led to inconsistencies in how cases are handled with some pet owners reporting that their concerns are not taken seriously. Looking back at records I have kept since 2020, so many dogs are still missing from their families. Companion animals, dogs in particular, are still being stolen in Ireland.

When I speak to families of stolen dogs they explain to me how heartbroken they are. Not knowing what has happened to their dog has a devastating effect. It can destroy lives, compounds trauma and is used as a tool of coercion and control. Just recently, late on a Sunday night in Rathcoole, County Dublin, a home was broken into.

The owner was asleep upstairs. Her five-month-old puppy Belle was taken from her bed downstairs along with other items of value. It is nearly four weeks since this happened. Not only was their house broken into but their much loved puppy was stolen. It is everything that comes after that ordeal and not knowing where their dog is now that breaks people. When a family pet is stolen, I advise them to report the incident to An Garda Síochána, get it logged into their system and get a PULSE number. The response seems to differ depending on the station and the garda on duty. Sometimes, the frantic owner is not taken seriously and the pet in question is not even logged into the system. Most times the dog has disappeared into the unknown never to be seen again. Some are trafficked, sold on, used as bait and bred from to live a life of misery. The action plan should include the following. Accurate recording of pet theft incidents by law enforcement is essential. A national campaign informing dog owners of the risks and what they can do if this happens to them. Reforming the law to classify pet theft as a distinct crime with strict penalties would reflect the significant emotional and societal value of pets and act as a deterrent to this growing issue. This was done in England and Northern Ireland and there has been a decrease in reported of thefts in Northern Ireland. I have included the link in my written submission. The current situation regarding pet theft in Ireland is concerning. Pet theft remains a significant issue. I have included supporting evidence in my written submission.