As the number of dog thefts continue to rise in the UK, it's important for owners to know how to prevent their dog getting stolen and the preventative steps to keep their pet safe.
According to new research, dog thefts have soared to a seven-year high in the UK, with 2,7600 pooches stolen last year alone. Sadly the number of thefts has risen 16% since 2015, with some of the most commonly targeted breeds including French Bulldogs, Jack Russell Terriers, Chihuahuas and Pugs.
"It's devastating to see the number of dogs stolen continues to increase across the country," Madeline Pike, a Veterinary Nurse for Direct Line Pet Insurance, told the Mail Online. "Unfortunately, the increase in dog ownership since the pandemic began and the subsequent rise in prices of these animals seems to make the crime even more appealing to thieves."
Why do people steal dogs?
Dog theft increased by a staggering 250% in 2020 due to gangs cashing in on the demand for puppies during lockdown. Sadly, many pedigree dogs are being stolen from their homes and used for intensive breeding as criminals swap vehicle and drug theft for puppies.
"With more people working from home, the demand for puppies has increased — as has the cost of purchasing a puppy — which has increased from around £500 to more than £2,000. This has become a lucrative market for organised criminals to exploit,' detective superintendent, Neil Austin, from the National Police Chiefs' Council told Sky News.
Where are dogs stolen from?
The BBC have revealed the five police forces in the UK which saw the biggest increase in dog theft reports between 31st July 2019 and 31st July 2020. They are:
- Northumbria +148% (from 27 cases to 67)
- Devon & Cornwall +88% (from 25 cases to 47)
- Leicestershire +86% (from 22 cases to 41)
- Humberside +127% (from 11 cases to 25)
- Suffolk +250% (from 6 cases to 21)
Dr Daniel Allen, an animal expert from Keele University, told the BBC: "Years ago, it was people nicking dogs from outside shops," he said. "Now it's people targeting breeders, taking the mum and the pups in one fell swoop."
It is more common to find breeders in the countryside which could explain the rise in the rural locations listed above.
According to Skinner's Pet Food, the stats for the most common situation dogs are stolen in are:
• 23% of dogs were stolen from gardens
• 11% stolen from homes
• 11% stolen whilst out walking
What dog breeds are most likely to be stolen?
While many dog breeds are being targeted around the UK this year, previous research from 2019 found that Cocker Spaniels, Springer Spaniels and Labradors are some of the most sought-after breeds for thieves.
Melissa Cole, whose two Springer Spaniel dogs were stolen from a kennel in September 2020, explained the thieves have now demanded a ransom for their return.
"I think unfortunately, Tig, like a lot of female dogs has been taken so that she can be bred for puppies and the horrible thing about that is that they don't get proper veterinary care," she told Euronews. "They don't look after these dogs, they rinse them for as many litters of puppies they can, because all they see them as is pound signs."
Other dogs more likely to be targeted by thieves include:
- Puppies
- Pregnant dogs
- Pedigree breeds
How to stop your dog being stolen
1. Be extra vigilant
A Kennel Club spokesperson said: “Unfortunately the demand for certain breeds has increased considerably, which means that dog theft is on the rise. It is traumatic for any dog owner to have their dog stolen. We recommend being vigilant and taking the basic precautions to help keep dogs safe.”
2. Make sure you dog is microchipped
"Dog owners should make sure that their dogs are microchipped and that their details are registered and kept up-to-date with a microchip database such as Petlog,” says the Kennel Club. This means that, in the worst case scenario, dogs can be easily returned to their owners.
3. Get your dog a GPS tracking collar
A GPS tracking collar means you can locate your dog at all times.
GPS collars for dogs
4. Secure your property
Owners should ensure their homes and properties are properly secured. Consider planting raised hedging to make garden areas more private and opt for letting your dog play in the back garden as opposed to the front.
5. Don't tie your dog up outside a shop
The Kennel Club also advises people to follow precautions such as “not leaving their dog tied up outside a shop or other public place, keeping their dog under proper control and making sure they can see their dog when out and about on walks, as well as ensuring their dog is properly trained and will return to them when called.”
6. Don't leave your dog alone in a car
Just as we would avoid leaving any kind of valuable on display in our cars, we should consider our dogs in the same way. It is also unadvisable to leave dogs in cars for health reasons too, especially on warm days.
7. Practise recall and/or use extending lead
Train your dog to return whenever and wherever they are called, incase they run off during a walk and you can't see them. Until their recall is good enough, use an extending lead when on a walk.
8. Report suspicious activities
The Kennel Club spokesperson says: "If dog owners notice any suspicious activities, they should report this to the police."
9. Avoid routine
If you have heard about an increase in dog thefts in your area, it might be a good idea to avoid a routine when walking your dog and use different routes. This is to prevent potential thieves knowing where your dog might be at certain times.
10. Walk with a friend
Buddy up with a friend and walk your dogs together if you are concerned, for safety in numbers. At the moment, you must do so in accordance to the current lockdown restrictions.
11. Avoid location tags on social media
We all love to share pictures of our dogs on social media but this could alert potential thieves to where you live and your dog's routine.
12. If your dog is having puppies...
Puppies are more attractive to thieves because they will not be microchipped, have no pet ID and can fetch a higher price when sold on. Be extra vigilant.
13. If your dog is a pedigree...
You should be particularly careful if your dog is a pedigree as these are most in demand.
What to do if your dog has been stolen
If you are concerned that your dog may have been stolen, report it to the police and give them any details you can about what happened, including the time of day, who you saw, what they were wearing, what vehicle they had etc.
You can also report it to Doglost.co.uk. REPORT THEFT
You can check if the council has your missing dog via the government website. CHECK COUNCIL
If your dog is microchipped, you can also check the database to updates. CHECK MICROCHIP DATABASE
If someone claims that they have your dog and can reunite you with it, check that they are legitimate and always meet in a public place. Be wary if they ask for money.
Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.
SIGN UP
The best dog nail clippers to keep paws neat and tidy
Pet supplier Petstoreo was founded by two working veterinarians who have created an extensive range of high-quality and sustainable pet products, including these sturdy nail clippers.
An adjustable claw guard allows you to change the size of the clipping area to more precisely accommodate your dog's nails. It has a safety guard for storage and non-slip rubber handles.
Using an electric grinder is effective, but loud noises may faze more nervous dogs. This one has been designed to be extra-quiet to avoid causing any upset. It has a four-hour charge and two speeds; a slower one for trimming to length and another for filing smooth afterwards.
At under £5, these are the most affordable clippers on our list. A safety lock allows you to store them safely, while the handles are rubberised for extra grip.
Another affordable pair, but guillotine-style instead. Their ergonomic design is easy to use and will get the job done efficiently, delivering sharp clean cuts.
This cordless nail grinder comes with five file attachments that can be switched out. Two sanding drums are also included to keep the files at their best. It’s one of the cheaper nail grinders we’ve seen, but bear in mind that it is battery-powered rather than rechargeable.
This cordless grinder has LED lights, providing a clearer view of claws. It has a two-hour charge and a low vibration.
Designed to clip just the tip of the nail, these clippers have a unique patent-pending conical blade that doesn't crush the nail. Recommended by veterinarians and groomers, they also come in a range of sizes so you can find the right one.
If you're nervous about cutting your pooch's nails for the first time, try these clippers. An anti-slip handle helps you maintain a firm grip so you can comfortably cut their nails, while a spring-loaded safety stop prevents over-cutting.
This electric nail grinder is suitable for all breeds. It has two speeds and three grinding ports, so you can choose the right setting for your pet. It also has a two-hour charge.
We love this handy nail trimmer, which comes with four practical LED lights. It also has a replacement blade and a nail trapper which helps catch nail clippings for an easy clean-up.
Designed to cut any type or thickness nail safely, this clipper set also comes with a handy file so you can get your dog's nails just right.
