DESIGNER DOGS ARE TARGETED BY THIEVES
THEFTS of designer dog breed French Bulldogs have increased tenfold in five years across Wales, police have revealed. Model Cara Delevigne and singers Lady Gaga and John Legend are among stars who have been pictured with the dogs, which can cost £1,500 apiece.
Breeder Darbaz Mohammed lost 11 puppies after two break-ins last year. They were never found.
“I told the police and put it in the paper but I never heard anything,” the 30-yearold said.
“Someone broke in my doors and someone stole them. I was told they may have been taken to England or Scotland.
“They are obviously selling them because they are quite expensive to buy. I think they would be maybe £1,000 or £1,500, so they would have been worth more than £15,000.”
Darbaz, who lives in Swansea, is keen to discover who was behind the theft.
“I just want to know who did it and why,” the Domino’s delivery man said.
“I do believe it was probably someone who was close to me – a friend, or a friend of a friend.”
He hasn’t been able to replace the missing animals. “I don’t have the money,” he said. Seven of the puppies were stolen in June last year. There were three females and four males aged between one and five months.
That time the thieves struck in the evening and broke in through the back door.
The remaining four puppies – three females and one male – were taken when Darbaz moved house. This time they were taken from his shed.
“I still miss them,” he said. “When I sleep they come to me in my dreams.
“The dogs were nice, they were like a family to me.”
In 2011/12 just one French Bulldog theft was reported to police in Wales. It was the same the following period. Then in 2013/14 it rose to six, in 2014/15 it remained the same before peaking at 10 in 2015/16.
The following year the figure dipped to four.
Darbaz’s animals are not accounted for in the numbers, obtained by a Freedom of Information Act request, as they were taken after the period covered.
Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko said French Bulldogs were “extremely popular”.
“Its popularity has gone up hugely because celebrities are wandering around with them under their arms,” she said.
“Celebrity endorsement tends to bring popularity. People tend to follow fashion rather than finding the breed best for them.
“If you have something that is attractive to other people then there is the possibility of dogs being stolen and owners should take precautions.
“Make sure you do not leave dogs tied up outside shops. If you’re going to leave it in a car, if it’s safe to do so, make sure you leave your car where it can be seen by other people and cannot be easily broken into.
“And always make sure it is identifiable.”
A Dogs Trust spokesman said: “Incidences of dog theft have been increasing over the past few years, with the home and garden being the top locations for pet theft.
“We are urging dog owners to be vigilant and not leave their dogs unattended in public areas, as well as considering a number of small changes they can make to help protect their pet.”
The trust advised people to make sure their gardens and properties were secure, that they kept their animals in sight and trained them to return.
The most stolen dog in Wales is the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, with 57 taken over a six-year period. A total of 486 dogs were taken in Wales in that time.
In 2016/17 there were 25 dogs taken from the South Wales Police area, 22 in North Wales, 15 in the Dyfed-Powys Police patch and 19 in the Gwent force area.
Gwent Police said: “There are some steps that owners can take to protect their pets which we’d like to offer to any concerned residents.
“Make sure you can keep an eye on your dog when they are in the garden and that fences and gates are secure. Don’t leave your dog alone in the car or tied outside a shop.
“Take clear photographs of your pet to help prove ownership. Beware of strangers asking questions about your dog.
“Make sure your pet has a microchip to increase the chance of being found and don’t forget to update contact details if you move home – now a legal requirement for dogs.”
The other forces were contacted but either declined to comment or had not commented by the time of writing.