A PETITION to change laws around pet theft is gathering growing support after the recent disappearance and killing of a dog from Bonhill.

The Murdoch family’s Jack Russell, Buddy, was found dead in a rubble sack washed on the beach at Rhu, near Helensburgh, last month after going missing.

A charity pushing for a change in the law has begun to use Buddy as the poster dog of its campaign.

The Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance promoted its petition on social media.

Davie Murdoch, one of Buddy’s owners, said: “A change to the law wouldn’t bring us any justice or closure now, but I do feel that the law should reflect how important pets are to people.

“The way the law is now prevents any proper investigation into the theft, unless someone comes forward, or is found, to then be prosecuted under animal cruelty laws.”

Despite the petition attracting more than 100,000 signatures, triggering the parliamentary debate, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs says that pet theft is already treated with enough importance by the authorities.

A spokesperson said: “We understand the distress caused by the theft of a much loved family pet and laws are in place to deal firmly with offenders who commit such crimes.”

Mike Flynn, chief superintendent of animal welfare charity the Scottish SPCA, responded: “We would support any changes in legislation that included recognition of the impact these crimes have on an animal’s welfare.”

The theft of a pet is also not set down as a specific crime in Scotland.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Theft, including the theft of animals, is already a common law offence in Scotland for which the maximum penalty goes all the way up to a life sentence, when tried in the High Court.”