STOLEN DOGS DISCOVERED 100 MILES FROM HOME
FIVE BASSET HOUNDS FOUND BY POLICE IN GREATER MANCHESTER
A HUNTSMAN is “absolutely relieved and elated” after hearing five dogs stolen from a Leicestershire kennels were found more than 100 miles away by police, writes Asha Patel. Sophie Cripps cared for the English basset hounds, which were taken from kennels in South Kilworth six weeks ago. Leicestershire Police received a tip-off the dogs were being kept at two locations in Greater Manchester and the hounds were tracked down.
Sophie said: “It’s incredible – the feeling of relief is indescribable.”
A HUNTSMAN who looks after five dogs stolen from a Leicestershire kennels has said she is absolutely elated after they were found more than 100 miles away by police.
Sophie Cripps cares for the five English basset hounds which were taken from kennels in South Kilworth, near Lutterworth, between Wednesday, February 17 and Thursday, February 18.
Six weeks after the theft, Leicestershire Police received a tip-off the dogs, which are the only working pack of basset hounds in the country, were being kept at two locations in Greater Manchester.
The force then contacted Greater Manchester police, who managed to track down the hounds.
Sophie has now told the Mercury that she was starting to wonder whether the dogs, called Landlord, Lattice, Drama, Banish and Bashful, would ever be found.
She said: “I am absolutely relieved and elated. It’s incredible – the feeling of relief is indescribable.
“I had a nagging voice in the back of my head saying they might never be returned, but I couldn’t give in to that voice because what would be the point? I couldn’t let it win.
“Those dogs are my entire life so the thought of giving up was just obscene.”
The crime was the latest in a string of dog thefts, which have boomed since the start of the pandemic as demand for new pets has soared. The charity DogLost says the number of thefts of dogs more than doubled from 172 in 2019 to 465 in 2020.
The RSPCA has also warned that
Those dogs are my entire life so the thought of giving up was just obscene
thieves are taking orders from would-be dogowners before scouring the streets for matches, while Dogs for Good, a UK charity, has urged owners to keep a close eye on their pet, make sure their gardens are secure and keep their dog “building side” in order to prevent them being snatched by thieves driving past. Following the theft of the basset hounds, an appeal to find them was shared nearly 2,000 times on Facebook and Sophie said she was grateful “from the bottom of her heart” to everyone who helped find her dogs.
She added she was especially grateful to Nottinghamshire woman Lisa Dean, who acted as the “middle-man” between her and the police in leading the campaign to find the animals.
Lisa, who set up a volunteer-led group called Beauty’s Legacy after her own cat went missing in 2016, also helped to locate a three-yearold cockapoo that was snatched from boarding kennels in North Kilworth less than a week before the basset hounds were stolen. “The capacity of Facebook for sharing geographically so far was so important in finding them and Lisa was unbelievable in pushing the campaign,” Sophie said.
She confirmed her dogs are now safe and in a secure location after being located by Greater Manchester Police.
Two women and a man were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and have been released under investigation while inquiries continue.
Sophie Cripps
TIPS on how to protect your dog from being stolen have been issued by a pet charity following a rise in the number of animals being stolen.
Charity Dogs for Good said owners could take precautions at home and while out walking.
A spokesman said: “It never hurts to take stock and ask yourself if you’re doing all you can to keep you and your dog safe.”
Advice includes:
■ Keeping eyes on your dog is still the best thing you can do to keep it safe. Using a phone is a distraction – and thieves know that.
■ Is your garden secure? Did you lock the gate? It is always worth checking.
■ Do not leave your dog outside shops. You would not leave your wallet or handbag unattended so do not leave your dog alone.
■ Tinted car windows are a relatively cheap way to keep what is in your car less visible to prying eyes.
■ Where possible, keep your dog away from the side of the road when out on a walk. Doing so will make it far more difficult for someone to open a car door, take the dog and drive off.
■ If your dog has poor recall, social walks on the lead are fine. Give your dog plenty of opportunities to engage with what is important to them – sniffing, looking around, etc.
■ Find safer, free-run locations where you have clear sight of your dog. Avoid wooded areas and keep to smaller open spaces where you can see all around you.
■ High-value food rewards are a good way to ensure your dog is motivated to come back to you.
■ Used correctly, extendable leads are a good halfway house between a lead walk and a free run.
■ Be less predictable. Try altering your route and, where practical, the time you walk your dog.
■ Walk with someone else – as long as you keep a safe distance apart.
■ Make sure you have plenty of recent photos of your dog clearly showing identifiable markings.
■ Make sure your dog has been chipped and that you keep any changes to your details updated.
The charity said: “If the unthinkable happens and your dog is taken, remember, you are not alone.
“There are plenty of online groups and pages offering help, guidance and support.
“DogLost is an excellent charity which provides a lost and found service which is free of charge.
“You should also notify police, dog wardens, vets and local rescue centres.”
Leicestershire Assistant Chief Constable Julia Debenham said: “We are aware of a number of incidents in relation to thefts or attempted thefts of dogs.
“These are extremely distressing incidents for owners and we understand the devastating impact these crimes have.”
Police have asked the public to remain vigilant and report any incidents.
Call police on 101.