Following a "worrying" spike in pet theft across the UK during lockdown, pet abduction is now set to become a new criminal offense.
Whilst stolen animals are currently treated as little more than lost property, this is all set to change as an upcoming legislation change is to take into account the emotional distress caused by the theft of a pet.
According to messaging coming from the Westminster government, pet abduction will be categorised as a new offence: prioritising the welfare of the missing animal as well as giving police greater powers to enable them to track down offenders and follow incidents more closely.
The taskforce’s report said that the price for five of the UK’s most desirable dog breeds grew “significantly” / Imaget: Unsplash (Graham Holtshausen)
Whilst sentencing guidelines are yet to be finalised, it's previously been suggested that new jail times for the offence could be set at around 5 years.
The new proposed legislation has come from a string of recommendations that have been put forward to the government in a report by the pet theft task force, first set up in May of this year to tackle the alarming rise in pet theft incidents that occurred during the successive lockdowns of 2020.
The new advising body is comprised of government officials, police, prosecutors, and local authorities and has received evidence from After receiving evidence from animal welfare groups, campaigners, academics and other experts.
Speaking on the new legislation proposals, Chief Executive at the RSPCA Chris Sherwood said that the introduction of new legislation goes a long way towards acknowledging the "seriousness" of the crime.
The new proposed legislation has come from a string of recommendations that have been put forward to the government in a report by the pet theft task force / Image: Pixabay
“We hope this will encourage courts to hand out much tougher sentences to pet thieves,” he added.
According to the task force, around 2,000 dogs were reported stolen last year and roughly seven in 10 pet thefts recorded by the police involved dogs.
“Pet owners shouldn’t have to live in fear, and I am pleased this report acknowledges the unique distress caused by this crime," said Environment Secretary George Eustice.
“Its recommendations will reassure pet owners, help the police to tackle pet theft, and deliver justice for victims.”
Featured Image - Flickr
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Leeds’ most famous pub has announced the return of its annual FREE Beer Festival this summer
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
Georgina Pellant -
3rd September 2021 
