TALKING DOGS
A dog theft update plus your chance to win tickets to the All About Dogs Show at beautiful Blenheim Palace.
Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced plans for a government taskforce to combat the rise in pet theft, after she was accused of not doing enough to tackle the problem.
Following discussions with Justice Secretary Robert Buckland and Environment Secretary George Eustice, further details are expected shortly.
The talks coincided with Direct Line Pet Insurance’s annual dog theft campaign, which revealed pet theft increased by a fifth last year, with 2,438 dogs reported as stolen to police — the equivalent of seven dogs a day. This represents a 19 per cent rise on 2019 numbers, and an increase of 31 per cent in the last five years.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers continue to be targeted most, with 97 stolen in 2020, while there has also been a rise in Labradors, Cocker Spaniels, and Springer Spaniels being taken. Breeds that have become less attractive to thieves include Chihuahuas and French Bulldogs.
Regionally, the North West has become a dog theft hotspot with a 68 per cent increase in 2020, while the North East saw a 54 per cent rise. The North West, London, South East, and Yorkshire combined accounted for 52 per cent of all reported thefts last year.
While the Metropolitan Police Service remains the force with the greatest number of reported dog thefts (318 in 2020), Warwickshire Police returned the most stolen dogs, reuniting 17 out of 23 with their owners.
Madeline Pike, veterinary nurse for Direct Line Pet Insurance, said: “Unfortunately, it seems the increase in dog ownership over lockdowns has also translated into a rise in dog thefts. The worry is these numbers will increase even further this year, once dogs are left alone more as restrictions ease and we return to a ‘new normal’.”
● Owners have become more fearful of dognapping, according to a survey organised by Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne. Nearly 125,000 people responded, with 97 per cent saying dog theft was a serious problem, 78 per cent admitting to being scared of walking their dog during the day, and 83 per cent being more frightened at night.