Ten months’ jail time for dognappers is being proposed under a draft Bill to be introduced in the Dail.
Aontu leader Peader Toibin TD wants a minimum of 10 months in prison for anyone convicted of stealing a family pet.
He is set to present the draft legislation to crack down on crime gangs who are making up to €3,000 on the black market from dog thefts.
Deputy Toibin said: “In recent months we’ve seen reports of the theft and resale of family pets.
“We have also heard reports of pets being taken for breeding purposes. It has been reported that professional gangs can make big money from this type of theft. It has even been suggested that thieves may leave a mark on the road in chalk or by tying a piece of string to a garden gate to target those houses for theft after dark.”
The Meath representative said it was for this reason he is introducing the Criminal Justice Theft and Fraud Offences Amendment Pets Bill 2020.
He said: “The sentence and punishments for those who steal family pets should be harsher than the penalty for stealing objects.
“Because to most people their pets are viewed as more than a mere household or farmyard asset, a dog or a cat can be a member of the family and families that lose them are often broken hearted.
