Warning over dog thefts
A pet owner has urged dog walkers to be vigilant after fearing her puppy was about to be stolen.
A Horsham dog lover is urging people to be on their guard after two ‘intimidating men’ pulled up next to her and her ‘adorable’ puppy.
Lauren Barnes, 27, said she was out walking Bentley, her 13-week-old Golden Retriever puppy in Charington Way, Broadbridge Heath, when two men wearing hats began staring at her four-legged friend.
She said: “They were so fixated on him. It happened so quickly. I just found the situation really weird.”
The men pulled up close to Lauren and Bentley, and one opened the passenger door.
The business development manager said she gathered Bentley in her arms and took her phone out to try and take a picture of the men, who she feared may try to steal her pup. “As I did that they shut the door and sped off,” Lauren said. “I was just concentrating on getting away from the situation.”
Research from animal charity Dogs Trust shows the cost of puppies has soared since early last year.
Lauren said she bought Bentley for £3,000, which was ‘one of the cheaper’ adverts. The animal lover added that she spent time researching puppies and had wanted a dog for years before buying Bentley. She avoided puppy farms because she ‘didn’t want to be part of the problem’. Lauren added: “You can’t put a price on him. I just love him. He’s adorable.”
She said if Bentley was stolen it would break her heart and wanted to raise awareness about the risk of dog theft.
In a message to other dog owners, Lauren added: “Be vigilant. Keep your wits about you when you go out.”
Last month Sussex Police said it was taking action to prevent dog theft as soaring prices for pets during lockdown sparked a rise in cases nationally.
Inspector Andrea Leahy, from the Rural Crime Team, said dog theft was an ‘abhorrent crime’.