While pet theft is considered a serious crime in Ireland, it falls under ‘stolen property laws’.

Lisa O’Connor has been campaigning to change these laws, stating that pets are not property, but companions and part of people’s lives and families.

Ms O’Connor explained that she would prefer to see pet theft categorised as a standalone offence, similar to the current model in place in England and Northern Ireland.

“There was a report actually done there earlier in the year, and they reported that thefts are down in Northern Ireland since they brought in this new legislation,” she told Lunchtime Live.

“Now, the penalties [in Northern Ireland] are low; for example, here in Ireland, we have good penalties and sentences for thefts.

“But it’s just how a dog is classed, and even when someone goes to report it to the Guards, how it’s logged in the system, we just can’t get accurate figures.

“Because it’s thrown in [with] if a mobile phone is stolen, or a potted plant.”

Woman on the floor crying. Image: Alamy

According to Ms O’Connor, the best course of action would be to impose a monetary fine for dog theft to deter criminals.

She said a custodial sentence would likely only put further pressure on the prison system.

“Last week, I was up in the Dáil meeting with the Public Petition Commitee, and I had a very positive meeting with the last Tuesday morning,” she said.

'Breaking my heart'

Listener Sandra detailed her “heartbreaking” first-hand experience with pet theft.

“I’m seven years going and still looking for our pet Buster that was stolen from the park,” she said.

“I won’t give up looking, and it’s the not knowing that is killing us, breaking my heart.”

Sandra said it is “ridiculous” to her that Buster’s theft is classed the same as stolen property.

“If somebody just listened to me talking on how much I love Buster and his sister and how much I miss him and how heartbroken I am, most people with a heart would think more about the situation,” she said.

Listener Paul Matthews suggested that there should be an app that connects to a dog's microchip, which would allow the owner to track them if they were stolen.

However, Ms O’Connor pointed out that microchips are often cut out of dogs by criminals anyways.

Main image: A missing dog poster in a park in London, England, U.K. Image: Mark Richardson / Alamy. July 2011