DOG theft will become a statutory offence in Scotland, after MSPs voted almost unanimously to make it law.
The legislation includes penalties of potential prison sentences of up to five years and unlimited fines for those convicted, with the SSPCA calling the bill a “significant milestone”.
The animal rights group said that the changes would “strengthen protections for dogs and help deliver justice for victims across Scotland.”
The bill still needs ceremonial royal assent to become an act.
Dog theft currently falls under the common law offence of theft, with pets classed as “property” which have been taken “without the consent of the rightful owner”.
119 MSPs voted for the bill, while two voted against.
The legislation increases penalties on dog theft.
Scottish Conservative MSP Maurice Golden, who introduced the bill, said he was “thrilled” that the bill had been passed by a majority of MPs across parties.
He said: “It will make a huge difference to dogs and to the many families across Scotland to whom they are so special.
“To this point, there simply wasn’t enough deterrence when it came to dog theft.
“This strengthening of the law will change that and help police and other justice authorities clamp down on this disgraceful crime.
“I want to thank all my colleagues who supported this; it shows once again that Holyrood works best when we all work together.
“Dogs are our best friends and deserve more – I hope this new law can help deliver that.”
The two MSPs who voted against the bill were Oliver Mundell of the Scottish Conservatives and Fergus Ewing, who sits as an independent.
While sources had initially said that Oliver Mundell had likely voted against the bill in error, a spokesperson for the Scottish Conservatives has now confirmed that Mundell voted intentionally against the bill.
Ewing had been a member of the SNP prior to his suspension of the party earlier this year.
Mundell and Ewing have been contacted for comment.
The first version of the bill had passed unanimously in October.
An estimated 1,808 dogs were stolen across the UK in 2024, with only one in five returned to its owner, according to Direct Line Pet Insurance.
The number peaked during the pandemic, with Direct Line estimating 2,760 thefts in 2021.
England and Northern Ireland implemented their own “pet abduction” laws in August, which covers the theft of dogs and cats.
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