Reform Irish Laws on Pet Theft

Wednesday 26/11/2025 - While I wait on updates from Government, unfortunately dogs are still being stolen. The most recent a Black Yorkshire Terrier from Longford suspected to be trafficked to UK. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0zhDRFpYiNU48Paiyvt3ukxfDjPMKcRjvuXterVp56HHtbbUKs2nq7ERv2VtaPCaol&id=563357010

On Tuesday 30th September I spoke to the Public Petitions Committee in Dáil Èireann about the need for reform. The way pets are looked at in Ireland especially when they are stolen needs to change. I'll update further over the coming days on suggestions presented to me.

Please find link below to my speech -https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/committee/dail/34/joint_committee_on_public_petitions_and_the_ombudsmen/submissions/2025/2025-09-30_opening-statement-lisa-o-connor-petitioner_en.pdf

Thank you to Everyone that has signed. We have reached the 10,000 mark.

Thank you to Everyone who has signed. We've passed 7000 signatures.

I got an official invite to the House of Oireachtas to speak to the Public Petitions Committee in September.

Thank you Everyone who signed and shared. We have reached the 6000 mark. Let's keep it going. Thank you for your support.

Quick update 9/6/25 Resubmitting petition to Public petitions committee. Once the petition is re-submitted, it will then be brought before the Committee and I can request agreement from the members to link it to the material and decisions attached to my previous Petition No. P00049/24 from the 33rd Dáil.

Thank you to everyone who has signed the petition. We are still waiting for a public petition committee to be formed in this new Irish Government. While we wait I will continue to campaign to get the law changed with the new Minister for Justice and his deputy.

My interview on Spotify with Rob the Dog Podcast and Dec's Pets.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/055Y5reLcUKdV4PT3B8Iah?si=4roAmWtcRze5Lyxt_LfOKQ

We've a new Minister for Justice. On emailing his department I got the same copy and paste answer that he got from the last government. This was sent back to me again. Please help by sharing and asking others to sign and share.

Thank you to everyone who has signed the petition. I am awaiting an update from the House of Oireachtas, hopefully this week. I am also watching closely who will be elected the next Minister of Justice. I will keep campaigning to get laws changed in Ireland.
Currently the theft of a pet is still treated by the law as the very same as stealing a deck chair. The theft of a pet can have a devastating effect on its owners and their family.
This should be reflected in the sanction given out for such a theft.
Dogs and other companion pets are still being stolen daily in Ireland.
The theft of a pet needs its own classification and adequate punishment.
Pet theft is a LOW RISK/ HIGH REWARD CRIME.

On 11/7/24 - My Petition was read & considered after engagement with the Ombudsman & Information Commissioner & representatives from his office.

During these meetings, the Committee agreed that: 
- The correspondence from the Department of Justice be forwarded to the petitioner for comment within 14 days.
- To write to the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, to see where the legislation is presently.

Update 25/7/24 - I replied to correspondence from General Secretary Department of Justice and forwarded to Public Petitions Committee.

Update 2/8/24 - Reply from Joint Committee on Public Petitions to inform me the above will be brought to the attention of the Committee at its next private meeting on Wednesday 18 September 2024.
Link to transcript and recording - Debate of the 11 July meeting via the Oireachtas website -

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/joint_committee_on_public_petitions_and_the_ombudsmen/2024-07-11/

Thank you to Everyone who has signed, shared and supported the Online campaign.

My Petition being read today. It's so important that these Animals and their families have a voice.
Petition Number P00049/24 “Reform Irish Laws on Pet Theft”
The petition was considered after the engagement with the Ombudsman and Information Commissioner and representatives from his office.

https://fb.watch/tfOnQ1I9Em/

Petition Number P00049/24 “Reform Irish Laws on Pet Theft

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/oireachtas-tv/cr4-live/

Some Positive news and movement on the Campaign.

I submitted the Petition to the House of Oireachtas.

The petition will be discussed in public session at the Committee meeting tomorrow
(Thursday 11 July 2024) which is due to commence at 1.30 p.m.

The petition will be considered after the engagement with the Ombudsman
and Information Commissioner and representatives from his office.

You will be able to view the meeting live online via the Oireachtas website.
On behalf of the myself and the campaign,

This wouldn't have been possible without your support. Thank you!