The Dáil will meet this week and discuss the option to increase pet theft penalties.
A motion will be brought forward by the Regional Group of TDs to the new Criminal Justice Bill.
They want the government to increase penalties for dog and pet thefts to act as a deterrent.
According to figures from Gardaí's PULSE system, 244 dogs were reported as stolen in 2020.
This is a 16% increase on figures released in 2019.
Independent TD Denis Naughten
says a motion will be considered in the Dáil on Wednesday to increase the penalties for those who steal companion pets, a practice that has he says has been on the rise since the introduction of Covid lockdowns last year. @rtenews— Mícheál Lehane (@MichealLehane) January 24, 2021
The new Criminal Justice Bill treats stolen pets in the same light as stolen property.
There is a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment for the offence of possession of stolen property.
Independent TD Denis Naughten is asking the Dáil to consider the "emotional distress of the theft of a family pet".
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has expressed she is "very conscious of the huge distress" that dog theft can amount to.
On Wednesday, the Minister will consider the proposed motion.
Another disturbing Covid trend is the increase in theft of dogs with Gardaí recently warning of a boom in pedigree breeds being stolen as prices soar in lockdown.
We want to investigate this issue:https://t.co/koyuZ6c481
— Niall Sargent ?️ (@Niall_Sargent) January 24, 2021
