Staffies top dog theft list
INFO REQUEST REVEALS 172 DOGS WERE STOLEN IN WEST YORKSHIRE LAST YEAR
STAFFORDSHIRE bull terriers, French bulldogs, Chihuahuas and pugs are the most stolen dogs in West Yorkshire.
An exclusive Freedom of Information request reveals that in 2018/19, 172 dogs were stolen in the region.
This is down from 219 dogs stolen in 2017/18.
Among the 897 pups stolen over the past five years, there were 88 Staffordshire bull terriers, 35 French bulldogs and 25 chihuahuas as well as 25 pugs.
Last year, there were also 30 cats stolen, down from 37 in 2017/18. Since 2014/15, 128 cats have been stolen.
Over the same period, 73 investigations were completed and no suspect identified while there was only community resolution – when the perpetrator and the victim find an agreement instead of proceeding through the traditional criminal justice process.
In the UK, at least 1,491 pets were reported stolen in 2018/19, of which 1,202 were dogs and 284 were cats.
Real figures could be a lot higher as many cases are not reported and only 32 police forces out of 46 provided the data.
According to recent research, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was the most targeted breed by criminals in 2018, while crossbreeds, Chihuahuas, French bulldogs and Jack Russells were also popular among thieves.
According to Direct Line Pet Insurance, the specific breeds targeted could be related to the influence of celebrities increasing their popularity, and therefore value, to criminals.
The two most common reasons for stealing a dog are to sell it or for breeding. Some buyers don’t check the history of their future pets, making it easier for stolen dogs to be sold for a profit.
Direct Line said that, in addition to knowing how thieves operate, there are things you can do to make it harder for them to target your dog.
These include being wary of strangers who ask for personal information, varying your dog walking routes, and getting your pet microchipped.
Laws introduced in April 2016 mean all dogs over the age of eight weeks have to be microchipped.
Although this won’t prevent your dog from being stolen, it will help identify your dog if it is found.