Police speak out over dog thefts

Officers have responded to an increase in suspicious incidents involving attempted dog thefts following heightened concern after some ‘fabricated’ stories were posted on social media.

Northumbria Police are reassuring dog walkers that it is safe to walk their dogs in the regionfollowing an increase of reports of attempted dog thefts.

The force said it has seen an increase in suspicious incidents reported to them, but that no dogs had been stolen by strangers in the area this year.

The statement comes after reports of a man trying to unclip the lead on a dog at Barnes Park in Sunderland.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said the concerns were reported to police and although there had been no attempt to take the dog officers are carrying out inquiries.

They went on to say that in some other cases stories posted on social media about incidents in the region have been found to be fabricated which has caused heightened concern and an increase in suspicious incidents.

Police say that dog thefts are ‘incredibly rare’ across the region and there have been no reports of dogs being stolen by strangers in the force area this year.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said :“We would reassure the public that thefts of dogs in our region are incredibly rare and there have been no reports of dogs being stolen by strangers this year.

"In some cases stories posted on social media about incidents in our area have been found to be fabricated. These stories do lead to heightened concern and therefore we have seen an increase in suspicious incidents.

"All of these reports will be investigated and, if offences are identified, we will take action .”