Warning on thefts A PINSCH TOO FAR

PET pinching is hitting record highs as those seen as designer accessories are being targeted by gangs stealing to order.

And while dog theft can be punished with seven years in prison, crooks tend to get off lightly, says Daniel Allen, animal expert at Keele University.

Daniel said: “With minimal deterrents there are various dog theft networks working at local and national levels stealing pets for profit.

“Dogs are stolen to order to sell, to breed, for ransom and even for use as bait in illegal dog fighting.”

Pet theft is seen as no different to the theft of a laptop under UK law, but the effects of losing well-loved animals are far more devastating.

Nearly 2,000 dogs were reported stolen last year, up by almost 100.

Twice as many were pinched from their home compared with the street.

Staffordshire bull terriers are the most common breed stolen because crooks think they are “status” dogs.

But pugs are popular, and three times more French bulldogs have been

OUR vet Brian Faulkner, from Petplan, has 22 years of experience and is a freelancer working all over the country. Send your questions to Brian at: Petplan, Great West House, Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9DX or via Petplan’s Facebook page f acebook. c om/

Petplanuk. taken since 2015. The number of stolen cats has also shot up by a third since 2017 to a record high.

Nikola Roe’s miniature pinscher Diddy was taken from her Berkshire home last August. Nikola said: “The whole thing is just heartbreaking. I was left with a blind and deaf 16-year-old Spaniel, Diddy was her eyes.”

Eva Sandstra-bennett, head of pet insurance at Direct Line, said: “Designer dog breeds are highly desirable for thieves. They can be sold on for thousands of pounds.”

Diane James, from charity Blue Cross, said: “We would urge pet owners to keep them away from windows or glass doors so they cannot be seen from the street.”

Blue Cross also advises you to keep your garden secure and neuter your pet and note this on their tag.

Pets should be microchipped and you should vary your dog walks and be wary of strangers asking questions.

Think twice before sharing photos of pets on social media and do not use location tags on Instagram. WHY is my dog suddenly eating grass? Will he be able to digest and process it? Should I be concerned? If so, how can I stop him doing it?

Strangers

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