Maurice Golden MSP has introduced a Member’s Bill which creates a statutory offence of dog theft.
This is a Member's bill
The Bill was introduced on 17 February 2025 and is at Stage 1
This Bill is at Stage 1 of the process to decide if it should become an Act.
As introduced, this Bill makes dog theft a specific statutory offence with penalties of up to five years in prison and/or an unlimited fine. The Bill also allows people who are victims of dog theft to give a victim statement to the court. In this, they can express the impact the crime has had on them physically, emotionally, and financially.
The Bill also makes the theft of an assistance dog, an aggravated offence. This is a more serious issue and, as a result, sentences given may be more severe. This reflects the vital day-to-day services assistance dogs provide, such as helping owners get around safely, and the greater impact the theft of such a dog would have on the victim of the crime.
The Bill asks the Scottish Government to collect data on dog theft and to publish and lay before the Parliament an annual report which includes that data.
Finally, the Bill asks Scottish Ministers to review how the Act is working after five years.
Further information on what the Bill does is available in the Explanatory Notes.
The act of stealing a dog has been prosecuted in the same way as the theft of any other item. Maurice Golden thinks this does not take account of the fact that a dog is a sentient being with a strong emotional connection to its owner. He considers that the theft of a dog causes loss to the owner and to the dog itself.
He thinks that the penalties for stealing assistance dogs should be more severe, reflecting the vital day-to-day services these dogs provide to their owners.
Finally, he thinks that data collection on the theft of dogs could be improved.
Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill as introduced (431KB, pdf) posted 17 February 2025
Explanatory Notes (133KB, pdf) posted 17 February 2025
Policy Memorandum (314KB, pdf) posted 17 February 2025
Financial Memorandum (301KB, pdf) posted 17 February 2025
Delegated Powers Memorandum (148KB, pdf) posted 17 February 2025
Statements on legislative competence (94KB, pdf) posted 17 February 2025
Explanatory Notes (222KB, pdf) posted 17 February 2025
Policy Memorandum (439KB, pdf) posted 17 February 2025
Financial Memorandum (326KB, pdf) posted 17 February 2025
Delegated Powers Memorandum (238KB, pdf) posted 17 February 2025
Statements on legislative competence (160KB, pdf) posted 17 February 2025
All Bills introduced in the Parliament must be accompanied by specific documents. For most Bills, this includes:
Explanatory Notes: this document provides an overview of what the Bill does, plus a more detailed explanation of individual provisions.
Policy Memorandum: this sets out the objectives of the Bill. It also lists any alternatives considered, details of consultations, and an assessment of the effects of the Bill on a range of areas.
Financial Memorandum: this sets out estimates of costs, savings, and any changes to revenues expected to result from the Bill.
Delegated Powers Memorandum: this is needed if a Bill gives powers to make subordinate legislation or allows Scottish Ministers to issue directions, guidance or codes of practice.
Statements on legislative competence: two short statements, one by the Presiding Officer and one by the Member introducing the Bill. “Legislative competence” means the powers the Parliament has to make law.
The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSPs in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.
Christine Grahame MSP is the additional member in charge for the Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill.
The Member who introduces the Bill is also, in the first instance, the ‘Member in charge’ of it. They may choose to name an ‘additional Member in charge’. This gives the Member in charge an assurance that any necessary procedural steps can still be taken if they are unavailable for a period or on a particular occasion.
The Bill was introduced on 17 February 2025
At Stage 1, the Bill is given to a lead committee. This is usually the committee whose remit most closely relates to the subject of the Bill. The lead committee will consider and report on the Bill. Other committees may also examine the Bill and report to the lead committee. Finally, there is a debate and vote by all MSPs on the general principles of the Bill. If the general principles are not agreed to, then the Bill ‘falls’ and can’t become law.
The lead committee for this Bill is the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee.
The lead committee will usually examine the Bill through evidence sessions. This will involve contributions from individuals and organisations, known as 'witnesses', with knowledge of the subject matter. The committee might also discuss the Bill in private sessions.
26 March 2025
23 April 2025
date TBC
Letter from Cats Protection, 21 March 2025
Letter from the Law Society of Scotland, 20 March 2025
Letter from Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, 20 March 2025
Letter from Maurice Golden MSP, Member in charge of the Bill, 20 March 2025
Letter from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, 20 March 2025
See a full list of Stage 1 correspondence for this committee
If a Bill is relevant to more than one committee, 'secondary committees' may consider and report on the general principles of the Bill to the lead committee. Some Bills may also be considered by the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee or the Finance and Public Administration Committee.