Reform Irish Laws on Pet Theft

TUESDAY 12/5/26 - Latest Update from Public Petition Committee.

I had the opportunity to reply to both Departments in written format.

"We have had correspondence in relation to the issue of pet theft."
Responses received from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Department of Justice
According to the Department of Agriculture this is not a matter for them.
The Committee proposes a meeting scheduled with Minister for Justice and/or his officials to consider further the issue of pet theft.

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/oireachtas-tv/video-archive/committees/11624

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CZNKrEC5J/

Latest Correspondence dated 23/4/26 -

Dear Ms O’Connor,
We are writing to inform you that your petition was discussed during the private and public meetings of the Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen on 21 April 2026.

During these meetings, the Committee agreed that:

The correspondence from the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine (DAFM) be forwarded to the Petitioner for comment within 14 days.
The correspondence from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration be forwarded to the Petitioner for comment within 14 days.
Invite the two Ministers on the next available date to present current views.
Enclosed, you will find the relevant correspondence the Committee received from the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine (DAFM), and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for your action.
Kind regards,

Petitions Case Manager.

We Have Reached over 11,000 signatures. Thank you 👍

My Petition was Discussed at a Committee Hearing in Dáil Èireann (21/4/26)

I'll post the video when it's available.
Next Update - replies from both Dept. Of Agr. & Dept. Of Justice.

NEXT STEP -

The committee will invite Ministers from both Departments to come in and speak to the Committee.

It was noted last night that my online petition has over 10,000 signatures which is a significant amount of people wanting change.

On the 27/1/26 - 27/1/26 - Senator Chris Andrews updates Committee on my Pet Theft Reform Petition - Watch here https://www.facebook.com/share/v/181kb9djTr/

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