Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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581. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider amending legislation to toughen penalties for dog theft; the other measures which are currently being considered to act as an effective deterrent.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23467/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am very conscious of the huge distress that can be caused by the crime of dog theft and the strong emotional bonds that owners have with their pets.

I can inform the Deputy that there is already comprehensive legislation in place to address such crimes of theft and fraud as well as related animal welfare offences, including:

- The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013;

- Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1965;

- Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.

The Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 provides for offences of theft, the handling of stolen property and the possession of stolen property.  The offence of theft provided for by this legislation would, based on the broad nature of the offence, include the theft of dogs. A maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment is provided for 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.   

I am informed by the Garda authorities that approximately 205 domestic dogs and/or pets were reported stolen to An Garda Síochána in 2019 and approximately 172 pets were reported stolen from January 2020 up to 26 August 2020. I am advised that these figures are approximate as they are based on descriptions given on the PULSE system.

With regard to measures aimed at preventing such thefts, I am further informed that information has recently been disseminated to the Crime Prevention Officers Network countrywide specifically dealing with the topic of dog thefts. The Garda National Crime Prevention Unit's advice on pet safety concurs with the advice from animal welfare groups and animal insurance companies about keeping animals safe. Some of this information can be viewed online at https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/office-of-corporate-communications/news-media/dog-theft-crime-prevention-advice.html  

Ongoing patrols throughout the country also act as a deterrent to travelling criminals and thereby help prevent criminal activity. Improved awareness of dog thefts among the community will ensure more vigilance within neighbourhood watch and community alert areas.

An Garda Síochána have highlighted several successful seizures of dogs where the dogs were suspected to have been stolen. There was an arrest connected with the seizure of ten suspected stolen dogs in Co. Limerick on August 1, 2020.  Gardaí have also seized 32 dogs near Swords that are believed to be stolen with an estimated value in excess of €120,000.

Officers of Customs and Excise (a division of the Revenue Commissioners), as well as members of An Garda Síochána, have responsibility for searching vehicles at our ports of entry to deter ongoing criminal activity, including that of attempts to smuggle animals into and out of the State. Animals found without the necessary paperwork under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 are seized and handed into the care of the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or the relevant Local Authority as appropriate under Section 15 of the Control of Dogs Act 1986.