Five dogs a day are stolen as gangs target £1,500 designer pets
DOG thieves are snatching an average of five pets across Britain every day as gangs target designer breeds costing up to £1,500 each.
Police figures reveal the number of dog thefts has soared by nearly 20 per cent in the past two years.
At least 1,774 pets were taken from owners in 2016 in an alarming trend for animal lovers.
Experts say the crimewave has been fuelled by the rise of pugs, French bulldogs and other fashionable breeds coveted by celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Paris Hilton.
Desire
Prit Powar, head of pet insurance at Direct Line, said: “While we understand the desire to own these breeds, those who do may want to take extra caution when out walking their dogs as their high price tag can make them a target for thieves.”
Direct Line examined statistics from police forces in England and Wales and found that Staffordshire bull terriers were the most stolen, with 634 dogs disappearing last year. Mr Powar said: “It is perhaps unsurprising that the Staffordshire bull terrier is the dog most often reported stolen, given it is one of the most common dog breeds in the UK.
“What is more interesting is the rise in the number of flat-faced dogs being stolen, such as French bulldogs and pugs, as this represents a significant trend.”
The number of French bulldogs stolen climbed from eight in 2014 to 24 last year, while pug theft increased from four animals to 36 over the same period.
In March last year, three French bulldogs valued at £14,000 were taken during a burglary at a house in Billericay, Essex.
Last August, a father and son were jailed for a total of five years and 10 months for robbing a pedigree pug worth £1,200 after punching its owner in the face.
Dog Lost, an organisation that reunites owners with their missing pets, claimed that more than 60 dogs are stolen every week across the UK – almost double the figure estimated by Direct Line.