Designer dogs fuel theft spree of canines

Dog theft has increased in Britain for two consecutive years, with five dogs reported stolen every day in 2017, new figures have revealed.

The rise in popularity of “designer” dog breeds like the French bulldog, which cost upwards of £1,000, is contributing to the increase as their hefty price tag makes them a prime target for canine thieves.

Last year 1,909 dogs were reported stolen to police forces across the country compared with 1,788 in 2016, an increase of 6.8% in just 12 months.

The number of reported dog thefts in 2016 was 14% higher than in 2015.

Thefts of French bulldogs – a distinctive breed popular with celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio, the Rock, Lady Gaga and Madonna – increased 27% from 2016-2017, with 61 stolen last year.

The number of chihuahuas and huskies taken from their owners is also on the rise, with 57 and 18 stolen in 2017 respectively.

The figures, collected by Direct Line Insurance through freedom of information requests to police forces, shows the Staffordshire bull terrier continues to be the most commonly stolen breed of dog, while there has been a spike in the number of stolen crossbreeds like cockapoos and puggles, which have become increasingly popular.

Prit Powar, head of pet insurance at Direct Line, said: “The rise in popularity of ‘designer’ dog breeds among celebrities and the ‘fashion’ for certain types of dogs means people are willing to pay thousands for an animal, which unfortunately makes them prime targets for thieves.

“Pedigree owners need to be especially vigilant. Some of the reasons behind dog theft include using the animal for dog fighting, breeding or selling on.”

The French bulldog has become a favourite.