MPs to debate petitions relating to pet theft

• Watch the debate (from 4.30pm, Monday 19 October)  
• Read the debate transcript (available shortly after the conclusion of the debate)

The debate will be led by Petitions Committee member Tom Hunt MP. MPs from all parties can take part, and a Minister from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will respond on behalf of the Government.  

This debate has been scheduled in response to the following petitions, which between them have received over 261,000 signatures in total:  

• Pet Theft Reform: Amend animal welfare law to make pet theft a specific offence  
• Make pet theft crime a specific offence with custodial sentences  

The debate will last 90 minutes, and will take place in Westminster Hall – the House of Commons second Chamber.  

What prompted the petition for pet theft to be made a specific offence? 

Earlier this year, Tom Hunt spoke with petitioners to better understand why they started their petition calling for ‘Pet theft reform’.  

• Watch a video of the call 

What are petitions debates?  

Petitions debates are ‘general’ debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.   

Stay up-to-date  

• Follow the Committee on Twitter for real-time updates on its work  
• Join in the discussion using hashtag #PetTheftDebate 

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