Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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576. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality whether anyone has ever been prosecuted under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud) Offences Act 2001 specifically for the theft of an animal(s); and, if so, what animal(s). [56678/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Animal theft is a an incredibly cruel crime. Pet theft causes huge trauma for pet owners and theft of livestock results in significant financial losses. I also appreciate the strong emotional attachment we all have to animals and that theft not only leads to their loss in our lives, but also a high level of concern for their welfare.

Prosecutions are a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is fully independent in her functions. As Minister, I have no role in the operations, functions, governance or oversight of the Office of the DPP and I am unable to provide any information or statistics relating to the Director's work as a result.

Additionally, management of the courts, along with related operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and the Constitution.

The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.

To be of assistance to the Deputy I have sought the information requested from the Courts Service. They have informed me that it has not been possible to provide the data sought. The Courts Service have advised that there is no specific offence for the theft of an animal. Prosecutors are likely to use the offence code for theft pursuant to section 4 of the 2001 Act, which would cover all theft, not just theft of animals. As a result, they are not in a position to provide the information sought.