DOG THEFT IS SOARING

Dog thefts have skyrocketed over the Covid-19 pandemic, with demand driving a surge in puppy prices. As experts call for tougher punishments, Gayle Ritchie investigates

It’s been seven months of hell for Craig Brown. The gamekeeper’s beloved springer spaniel, eight-year-old “M”, was stolen from kennels near Blairgowrie in October and has never been found. Each day Craig hopes and prays for news of her whereabouts. She was one of three dogs taken – the other two were male Jack Russells which were found roaming streets in Bromsgrove, south of Birmingham, more than 400 miles from home.

“It’s been an absolute nightmare,” says Craig, 50.

“When the three dogs were taken, I worried what might be happening to them.

“You hear stories about dog baiting; you wonder if that’s why they’ve taken them. It’s an awful thing to go through.”

With no sign of M, Craig, who suspects she is being used for breeding, can only pray she will be found soon, although he fears she could be in a poor condition.

“It’s a huge worry, always wondering – where is she? It’s been seven months now and no sign of her,” he laments. “If she’s being used for breeding, I wonder what will happen to her because she’s not a young dog.

“Will she be dumped? She’ll not be in good nick. But hope is all I’ve got.”

Along the road in Meikleour on the same day in October, Ally Mclaren watched as his Jack Russell terrier Harvey was snatched right in front of his eyes.

All he could do was look on in horror as the thief drove off, taking videos and pictures on his phone. It was one of the most dreadful moments of his life.

After a week of stress and sleepless nights, Ally, 21, got the news he’d been hoping for – that Harvey had been found.

Just like Craig’s dogs, Harvey was seen wandering the streets of a village in the Bromsgrove area. While a little on the lean side, he was in decent condition.

Ally reckons the dognapper, who had been seen acting suspiciously in the area a month before the incident, had hoped Harvey was a female – from which he could breed.

When he was reunited with his cherished pet, it was “the best feeling ever” and a huge relief.

It’s thanks to Katie Mccandless Thomas, who runs the Missing Pets, Perth and Kinross Facebook page, that the three Jack Russells were traced.

Her online appeal went viral and people across the UK kept their eyes peeled for the dogs.

The Perthshire thefts sparked a major police investigation, and a Uk-wide search co-ordinated by the Missing Pets, Perth and Kinross group among others.

A 38-year-old man was arrested by police

investigating the thefts, but he was liberated by the procurator fiscal without appearing in court. The Crown Office said he was released pending further enquiries.

Sadly, stories like Ally and Craig’s have become increasingly common.

The problem is escalating across the UK, with reports of dog thefts, or attempted dog thefts, hitting the headlines every week.

Last month, an attempted guide dog theft in Dundee, which left the blind owner unharmed but upset, was described as like “stealing someone’s eyes”.

And dognappers are becoming more brazen and violent.

In April, a nine-week-old American bulldog was snatched from a flat in Glasgow by machete and axe-wielding thugs wearing balaclavas.

It’s believed they had seen the designer pup – thought to be worth £5,000 – on Instagram before they stormed the property.

Thankfully, the dog was found two days later at the side of a road.

In December, a retired police officer was beaten by two masked men and robbed of his sprocker spaniel in London.

And in January, Plymouth student Ally Knight was knocked to the ground and punched by two men trying to steal her pet pug.

Celebrities, too, have been targeted. Lady Gaga had her two French bulldogs stolen in an incident in which her dog walker was shot and injured in February. They were found safe and unharmed two days after being stolen.

In March, there was a spate of attempted dog thefts in Dundee, including in Baxter Park, near the Dighty Burn, and at the

Stannergate where a 14-year-old boy was approached by three men, one of whom attempted to take his dog’s lead from him.

It’s estimated dog thefts have risen by 250% nationwide following increased demand during the pandemic.

But it isn’t currently defined as a specific crime, with dogs classed as “property” under the Theft Act 1968.

This means stolen pets are considered “objects” like mobile phones: the fact your dog is a living, breathing, much-loved member of the family isn’t accounted for.

Unsurprisingly, victims feel let down by the authorities and unsupported by inadequate laws.

But for criminals, stealing a dog is a relatively low-risk, high-reward crime.

Prosecutions are rare, and even if they are convicted, criminals are more likely to be sent home with a slap on the wrist and £250 fine than to prison.

Campaigners are fighting to change the laws and calling for tougher punishments, arguing a small fine doesn’t reflect the devastation endured by owners.

Demand for dogs rocketed after lockdown in March last year, with more people working from home and seeking canine companions.

The demand prompted unscrupulous breeders to push up the price to astronomical proportions, often doubling and even trebling the price of puppies – with some charging £3,000 or more.

Pre-lockdown, a labrador puppy might have cost £600 to £800. A glance on Gumtree or Pets4homes and you’ll see them

WARNING: Dog thefts are on the rise across the country and owners are urged to take care.

Craig Brown has his Jack Russells back but his beloved springer spaniel M is still missing.

Craig Brown’s springer spaniel M is still missing, despite attempts to find her.

Dognappers can strike anywhere, as Ally Mclaren and Harvey discovered.

Ally Mclaren was reunited with Jack Russell Harvey after he was stolen.