Commentary on provisions of the Act Section 3: Abduction of other animals commonly kept as pets
Subsection (1) confers powers on the appropriate national authority to make regulations to amend the Act to apply or replicate the offences in section 1 or 2, with or without modifications, to further species of animal. "Appropriate national authority" is defined in subsection (6).
	Subsection (2) sets out when the power in subsection (1) may be exercised: if the appropriate national authority considers that animals of the species are commonly kept as pets, and that there is evidence that the number of incidents involving the unlawful taking or detaining of animals of that species is significant or rising significantly.
	Subsection (3) has the effect that regulations replicating or applying the offences to further species of animal can provide for the offences to have different exceptions or defences.
	Subsection (4) ensures that regulations replicating or applying the offences cannot alter the penalties applicable.
	Subsection (5) requires the appropriate national authority to consult appropriate persons prior to making regulations under this section.
	Subsection (6) defines "appropriate national authority" in relation to each of England and Northern Ireland for the purposes of this section.
	Subsections (7), (8) and (9) set out the procedure for making regulations under this section in the UK Parliament and in the Northern Ireland legislature.
	Subsection (10) sets out that regulations under this section may make different provision for different purposes, as well as consequential, supplementary, incidental, transitional or saving provision.
	Subsection (11) provides specific authority for regulations making consequential, supplementary, incidental, transitional or saving provision to amend the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981.