Dog owners beef up security

More than 80% of dog owners know of at least one dog theft in their area, according to a survey by BASC.

The survey also found that, with the problem of dog theft growing rapidly, dog owners have not been idle — more than 75% of the survey’s 3,400 respondents had put in place extra measures to keep their dogs secure. They included varying the times and routes of walks, reducing social media postings and adding extra lighting and security cameras around kennels. Of those who had taken additional action, 5% had begun carrying alarms or wearing body cameras while walking their dogs.

Among those responding to the survey, 111 had actually been the victim of a dog theft, and of those, 45 had managed to get their dog back. Despite 45 dogs being recovered, only one victim had the satisfaction of seeing the criminal convicted for the crime.

Among the most recent victims was Staffordshire woman Rachel Lilley, whose cocker spaniels Missy and Biscuit (pictured) were snatched in a night-time robbery near Stafford. In a heartbreaking video appeal, Rachel said: “They are my life. I can’t do without them.”

Brocket Hall was targeted by six protestors during the mass trespass event

Cockers Missy and Biscuit were stolen in March and are still missing