The government’s announcement of a new criminal offence for pet abduction has been well received by dog and other pet owners alike.
By highlighting the welfare of the animals involved, the offence will be categorised separately. In doing so, the change also acknowledges the significant role dogs and other pets play in our lives.
While risk of pet theft remains low, the perception of the threat has grown substantially over the course of the pandemic.
The publicity surrounding dog theft in particular, and the reported rise in incidents, has heightened awareness in all dog owning households. You haven’t been able to travel far without hearing about both the increasing cost of puppies and the subsequent concern over the risk of theft.
The perceived threat by dog owners was something picked up in BASC’s dog owner survey earlier this year, statistics that were referenced by the Taskforce.
Through exercising their dogs less, coupled with concern over the safety of their dogs, owners were suffering both physically and mentally. The idea that people feared walking their dogs or had begun carrying personal protection devices (5% of respondents said they were) highlighted the extent of the issue.
Credit must be given to the Pet Theft Taskforce for creating a list of proposals that will not only tackle the crime itself, but also the significant perceived threat. Their recommendations to the government include:
BASC members owned a combined 166,000 dogs. We have taken the reported rise in and concern over dog theft extremely seriously.
Our dog owner survey aided the Taskforce in their policy paper, and we will be working with the government to take these recommendations and others forward to best represent our members’ interests.
The government’s announcement of a new criminal offence for pet abduction has been well received by dog and other pet owners alike.
By highlighting the welfare of the animals involved, the offence will be categorised separately. In doing so, the change also acknowledges the significant role dogs and other pets play in our lives.
While risk of pet theft remains low, the perception of the threat has grown substantially over the course of the pandemic.
The publicity surrounding dog theft in particular, and the reported rise in incidents, has heightened awareness in all dog owning households. You haven’t been able to travel far without hearing about both the increasing cost of puppies and the subsequent concern over the risk of theft.
The perceived threat by dog owners was something picked up in BASC’s dog owner survey earlier this year, statistics that were referenced by the Taskforce.
Through exercising their dogs less, coupled with concern over the safety of their dogs, owners were suffering both physically and mentally. The idea that people feared walking their dogs or had begun carrying personal protection devices (5% of respondents said they were) highlighted the extent of the issue.
Credit must be given to the Pet Theft Taskforce for creating a list of proposals that will not only tackle the crime itself, but also the significant perceived threat. Their recommendations to the government include:
BASC members owned a combined 166,000 dogs. We have taken the reported rise in and concern over dog theft extremely seriously.
Our dog owner survey aided the Taskforce in their policy paper, and we will be working with the government to take these recommendations and others forward to best represent our members’ interests.
There are several clear winners as a result of controlled heather burning in our upland environments, as Alex Farrell explains. Cool burning is a traditional land management practice used in moorland and upland areas of the UK. Also known as muirburn or controlled heather burning, it is used primarily to manage heather (Calluna vulgaris). The
Pushing ahead with scheme in its current state risks undermining efforts to manage Scotland’s uplands effectively.
BASC is asking its members and supporters to promote the benefits of grouse shooting to their local MPs and push back against a Wild Justice petition.
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© 2025 British Association for Shooting and Conservation. Registered Office: Marford Mill, Rossett, Wrexham, LL12 0HL – Registered Society No: 28488R. BASC is a trading name of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 311937.
BASC Direct Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Agria Pet Insurance Ltd who administer the insurance and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Services Register Number 496160. Agria Pet Insurance is registered and incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 04258783. Registered office: First Floor, Blue Leanie, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP21 7QW. Agria insurance policies are underwritten by Agria Försäkring.
If you have any questions or complaints about your BASC membership insurance cover, please email us. More information about resolving complaints can be found on the FCA website or on the EU ODR platform.
