Police issue alert over ‘dognappers’

POLICE have urged dog lovers to take extra care to protect their pets across Halton after reports of attempted dog thefts in recent weeks.

The appeal came after a distraught dog lover reported her pet French bulldog had been stolen during a burglary in Hough Green, Widnes, overnight on July 8-9.

She reported later on Facebook on July 9 that he had been found.

Cheshire police initially said enquiries were still ‘ongoing’ but confirmed on Monday the force no longer believed the dog had been stolen in a theft or burglary. Despite being an apparent false alarm, the incident followed a spate of disturbing reports.

On July 1, a woman reported that thieves had stolen her dog at The Bongs in Widnes on July 1, with the pet found a short time later. Police had called for information over another unconfirmed incident that may have happened at the same time at the same location.

A woman also fought off a gang of dognappers in Halton Brook, Runcorn, on

June 7.

Widnes officers issued an appeal on Friday calling for vigilance and shared advice from the Blue Cross animal charity on how to protect dogs from theft.

Tips include varying the walk routes and times to outfox would-be dognappers trying to prey on predictable routines.

Owners should also beware of strangers asking about their pets.

Blue Cross said it is important to ‘think twice’ before leaving a dog tied up outside a shop, and never leave them alone in a car, even for a few minutes.

Dogs should be microchipped – which is required by law as soon as they turn eight weeks old.

Pet pooches in public are also required by law to have a collar and ID tag with the owner’s name and address.

Avoid putting a dog’s name on the tag.

Owners are also advised to take pictures of dogs from various angles and to take pictures of themselves with their dog to prove ownership.

Anyone with information or footage that may aid the investigation in relation to the Brookdale incident should call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting IML 749266, give the details via www.cheshire.police. uk or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.