What is the punishment for stealing a dog?

Currently, pet theft falls under the Theft Act 1968 which considers a stolen pet to be a loss of property to its owners, with a maximum jail sentence of seven years.

What would happen if I stole a dog?

A dog is considered personal property, so stealing a dog does not give rise to a kidnapping claim. It may also be burglary if the dognapper broke into a structure to take the dog. In some jurisdictions, such as Virginia, dognapping is considered a felony and can be punished by up to 10 years in jail.

Is stealing a dog considered kidnapping?

Dognapping is the crime of taking a dog from its owner. The word is derived from the term kidnapping. Historically in the United States, dogs had been stolen and sold on for medical research, but the introduction of the Animal Welfare Act of 1966 reduced these occurrences.

Is it a crime to steal a pet?

What are the charges for stealing a dog? Criminal charges and penalties vary widely by state, even in those with specific criminal codes for dog theft. Most states consider pet theft a misdemeanor, and the penalties include relatively small fines and little to no jail time.

Is stealing an animal illegal?

If a person steals or maliciously takes an animal of another for purposes of sale, medical research, slaughter, or other commercial use (or does so by fraud or false representation), he or she commits a public offense punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding 1 year or in the state prison.

How can I track my stolen dog?

Track Lost Dog with a Microchip To track a lost dog with a microchip: Visit the microchipping company’s website and enter your pet’s serial number. If you’re not sure about which provider, use a service like petmicrochiplookup.org. Call the vet that injected the chip if you need more information.

Where do stolen dogs go?

Some people sell stolen and lost animals for research and veterinary institutions that use dogs and cats for testing and biomedical experimentation. These groups are often referred to as Class B dealers. They are brokers who acquire their animals through flea markets, newspaper adds, and other less savory sources.

What happens to the dog in a divorce?

A majority of dog ownership disputes involve custody when a couple separates or divorces. Who gets the dog in a divorce? Of course, the ideal solution is to settle ownership through written dog custody agreement forms that both you and your spouse agree upon.

What happens if you can’t come to a Pet Custody Agreement?

If you can’t come to a pet custody agreement with your partner, the unfortunate reality is that you’ll have to let a judge decide. Claiming custody of a dog can be different than child custody issues. Why? Because state laws consider dogs and other pets as tangible personal property (like a car, furniture or similar objects), rather than “people.”

Can a dog be considered a part of a family?

The good news for responsible pet parents is that today’s legal system is making some strides in treating dogs as part of the family. Some recent court decisions have allowed for shared custody, visitation and even pet alimony — most of these involve dog ownership, rather than cats or other pets. How Do I Prove Dog Ownership?

What should you do for your pets after death?

Pet care after death is often overlooked, but you should account for it in your will and estate planning. Ideally, you would designate a caretaker and an amount of money to be left for the care of your pets. Learn more about making a will online at our sister site, Safe Smart Living.