1. a person who steals someone's pet animal
Usage: informal; often used in news reports and legal contexts

Examples

• The petnapper was caught on security camera footage stealing the golden retriever from the backyard.
• Police are searching for the petnapper who took three dogs from the neighborhood last month.
• The reward for information about the petnapper has increased to $5,000.
• She was devastated when a petnapper took her cat from the front porch.
• The petnapper was arrested and charged with theft of personal property.