Crime Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 January 2021

Thursday, 28 January 2021

Ceisteanna (214)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

214. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice the number of animals reported stolen or missing to An Garda Síochána nationally in the ten years up to and including 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4850/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I have requested a Garda report on the figures requested by the Deputy. I will write to the Deputy once the report is received.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.

SUBSTANTIVE ANSWER: I refer to Parliamentary Question Number 214 which was for answer on 28 January 2021 where you requested the number of animals reported stolen or missing to An Garda Síochána nationally in the ten years up to and including 2020.

As you may recall, the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to contact you again when the information was to hand.

Further information has now been provided by An Garda Síochána.

I am very conscious of the impact that crimes like animal theft have on the quality of life for residents in local communities. Gardaí are working hard to tackle this, and all forms of criminality in our communities, to make them safer for all members of society.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána closely monitors emerging crime trends, and that the Garda National Crime Prevention Unit coordinates a number of crime prevention initiatives aimed at reducing crime. These initiatives include Crime Prevention Information Campaigns through traditional and social media.

The Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 provides for offences of theft, the handling of stolen property and the possession of stolen property. The offence of theft provided for by this legislation would, based on the broad nature of the offence, include the theft of animals.

A maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment is provided for in the case of offences of theft and handling of stolen property; while a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment is provided for the offence of possession of stolen property.

The table below shows the number of unique incidents where there was at least one PULSE object type within the ‘Animals/Livestock/Poultry’ category that was linked to the incident as ‘Stolen’ or ‘Lost’.*

Reported Year	Number of Incidents (Stolen Animals)	Number of Incidents (Lost Animals)
2010	330	1698
2011	331	1728
2012	315	1671
2013	337	1883
2014	293	2069
2015	267	1937
2016	213	1897
2017	184	2082
2018	177	2357
2019	160	2260
2020	223	2386

*The Deputy has referred to figures I provided in answer to Parliamentary Question No 600 to 603 (inclusive) for answer 06 October 2020. The table provided in the answer to No 600 to 603 referring to number of incidents of stolen animals provided information relating to the Portlaoise Garda District only.

Within the incidents noted above, the data was further interrogated to determine the number of individual animals reported as lost or stolen. The figures shown are approximate being based on descriptions given for the PULSE object.

Reported Year	‘Stolen’ Animals	‘Lost’ Animals
2010	2514	3166
2011	1944	3201
2012	1705	3126
2013	2318	3590
2014	2577	3782
2015	1711	3531
2016	1377	3481
2017	1146	3922
2018	569	4667
2019	576	4403
2020	986	4503

Incident counts are based on reported date and were collated based on PULSE data as of 1:30am on the 26th of January 2021. I am further informed by the Garda Authorities that PULSE is an operational system and is always liable to change, consequently amendments may arise as more details are recorded, records are updated etc.

I trust this information is of assistance.