The Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Siobhian Brown MSP, made the following points in her opening and closing remarks:
the Scottish Government's support of the key component of the Bill, to make dog theft a statutory offence
the Scottish Government will work with the Member to ensure that all dogs that provide support and assistance are recognised in the aggravation and to produce a more deliverable and appropriate reporting provision
the Scottish Government do not support the provision on victim statements
it was more appropriate for the Scottish Parliament rather than the Scottish Government to review the Act
the Scottish Government would work with the Member to raise awareness of the dog theft offence if the Bill becomes law
this was not the right Bill to address the issues raised around the context of pet theft in domestic abuse
valid points had been made regarding the need for a consolidation Act on animal welfare but that there would not be time to do this in the current session.