Pet Theft Laws Will Be Under Scrutiny At An Oireachtas Committee Hearing Tomorrow

Monday, 29 September 2025 15:06

By Martin Osborne - Head of News. Got a story? Email news@kfmradio.com

A petition, submitted by campaigner Lisa O’Connor of Missing Stolen Animals Ireland, urges government to strengthen protections for pet owners, amid reports of dogs being “stolen to order” in Kildare and elsewhere.

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsman will tomorrow consider a petition calling for reform of Ireland’s pet theft laws.

The petition, submitted by campaigner Lisa O’Connor of Missing Stolen Animals Ireland, urges government to strengthen protections for pet owners, amid reports of dogs being “stolen to order” in Kildare and elsewhere.

Almost 10,000 people have signed in support, with campaigners warning that thousands of dogs are taken from Irish homes each year.

Kfm recently reported how a dog was stolen in Kildare before being left on a road after images of the culprit's car were shared on a local Facebook page.

Pet theft is covered as “stolen property” under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.

Kfm understands that Ms O'Connor will seek to have that definition changed, moving pets beyond being classified as just "property".

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