Tips to keep your dog safe from theft
REPORTS of dog thefts increased by a fifth last year and there have been several reports locally in the past few months alone.
A miniature dachshund was taken from a home in Stafford Street, Burton, after the thief told the owner he only wanted to show the sasage dog to his children – but never returned. This was on March 14.
On February 10, eight miniature wire-haired dachshunds were stolen by thieves who raided a house in Burton Road, Acresford. Two of the dogs were later recovered. Six of the dachshunds, which are all pedigree show dogs and worth a substantial amount of money, remain missing and anyone with information is urged to contact Derbyshire police.
The problem even affects celebrities. Earlier this year Lady Gaga’s two French bulldogs were found safe and unharmed, two days after being stolen at gunpoint in Los Angeles.
The RSPCA has revealed how to keep your dog safe from thieves – and what to do if your pet is stolen. A spokesperson said: “Pet theft is a heartbreaking and extremely distressing situation for both pets and their owners.
“We would encourage all dog owners to take extra precautions to protect their pooches from thieves by neutering their pets, ensuring they are microchipped with up-to-date contact details registered, ensuring they wear a collar with contact details embroidered or an engraved ID tag.
“We’d also advise that owners never leave their pets tied up outside shops or alone in cars, ensure their gardens are secure with gates locked, and ensure their pet has a good recall and doesn’t stray too far when off-lead on walks.
“Anyone who suspects their dog may have been stolen should immediately alert police, contact their microchip company to register their pet as stolen and inform local rescue groups, vets, dog walkers and neighbours.”
Tips to keep your dogs safe from theft:
■ Don’t leave your dog outside a shop on his own or in a car alone;
■ Teach your dog a reliable recall for when you are out walking;
■ Check your garden to make sure it is secure and if you have a gate then fit with a lock;
■ Neuter your pet as this can reduce the likelihood of roaming;
■ Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with an ID tag and that it is up to date. It is a legal requirement for a dog to have an ID tag with your name and address on it. The RSPCA also recommends including your mobile phone number on any ID tag as this can help reunite you with your pet quickly should he ever get lost or stolen;
■ Microchip your pet and keep the details up to date so that if your pet does go missing or is stolen then there is a higher chance they can be reunited. It is a legal requirement to have your dog microchipped in England and Wales.
If your dog has been stolen:
■ Firstly, check the local area and your dog’s favourite spots in case the dog has wandered off;
■ Make your dog “too hot to handle”; by sharing with local groups, putting up posters, informing local media and using social media – include pictures and any distinctive marks;
■ There are some specific sites set up to help find lost and stolen dogs, such as doglost.co.uk;
■ Report your dog as stolen to the police and provide them with as much detail as possible;
■ Report the theft to pet-related services such as vets, animal shelters, pet shops, dog wardens and the council;
■ Provide photos, a physical description and microchip number;
■ Report your dog to the microchip database and make sure your contact details are up to date.
It comes as research from Direct Line Pet Insurance reveals that reports of dog theft increased by a fifth in 2020. Last year, an estimated 2,438 dogs were reported as stolen to police forces in the UK, a 19 per cent rise on 2019 numbers (2,026). This is the equivalent of seven dogs reported stolen every day. Dog theft incidents have risen by 31 per cent in five years, from 1,774 in 2016.
Staffordshire bull terriers continue to be the most popular breed targeted, with 97 stolen in 2020. Crossbreeds are second, with 52 taken last year, but this was a fall of nearly a third compared to 2019.
Labradors did not make it into the top 10 in 2019 but were fifth in 2020, which may be due to their popularity among celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon and Ant Mcpartlin sharing images on social media.