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Animal Welfare Bill

I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Miller, for moving this amendment and for clarifying the situation regarding pet thefts. Presumably, the usual law of theft applies. If someone takes an animal with the intention of depriving the owner of his property, he or she is liable to a fine. The problem that arises with this amendment is that animals do not just stay in one place, unlike a television set. Where would you stand with a dog who follows you home or a cat who has kittens in your garden shed? Would you be taken to have deprived the owner of the pleasure of the animal’s company? There are some difficulties which need to be ironed out.