Having a dog stolen is every owner's worst nightmare - but taking the appropriate precautions can reduce the risk of them being targeted by thieves.
The UK is a nation of dog lovers with an estimated 9.6 million pet dogs in the UK alone, so the thought of having our family pet stolen is a terrifying prospect.
But new figures, shared by Direct Line Pet Insurance, suggests this is becoming more and more of a possibility, particularly among certain breeds "the figure is 2,760, which is the company's highest number on record."
With staggering statistics such as these putting fear into dog owners across the UK, Kennel Store has advised Brits on how to keep their dogs safe from thieves and what to do in the unfortunate incident that their dog is stolen.
"Keeping our dogs safe is of the utmost priority for dog owners countrywide and there are a few things you can do to protect your dogs from thieves," a spokesperson said.
"It can be incredibly traumatic for owners to have their dogs stolen, so being vigilant and putting as many precautions in place as possible can help reduce the risks."
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Microchip
Getting your dog microchipped is a painless procedure that gives owners peace of mind.
Having their details registered and stored with your vets allows for your dog to be scanned and returned safely to its rightful owners should they go missing or are taken.
Ensure your home is secure
Letting your dog free roam around your garden could pose some risks if your outdoor area isn't secure.
Consider planting hedges around the perimeter of your garden to deter potential thieves, and consider only allowing your dog to play in your back garden, as these are often more private than your front garden.
Proper recall training
When training your dog, make sure they answer to their name and come back to you when called whilst on walks.
This will give you peace of mind, especially if they run off and aren't visible, should you be walking in wooded areas.
Whilst improving their recall skill, use an extendable lead.
This allows them to still have the freedom to explore, but you also have control and are able to bring them back to your side at a moment's notice.
Routine
If you are informed of suspicious activity in your area or somewhere that you walk frequently, it's advisable to switch up your routine.
Should there be a potential thief who is expecting you in a certain area at a certain time, walking in a different area at a different time may alleviate some anxiety and remove your dog as a potential target.
If you do notice any kind of suspicious activity, report it to the police who will be able to take appropriate action and advise further.
Mindful social media use
We all love snapping pictures of our dogs, but be mindful when using location tags.
This allows prying eyes to have an exact pinpoint location of where you are and at what time.
This is especially risky if it's somewhere you visit regularly, so tag your location with caution.
What to do if you suspect your dog has been stolen
If you suspect your dog has been stolen, report it to the police as soon as possible.
Give them as many details as you can, what happened, where this happened, who you saw that day, any suspicious activity, what the person/s were wearing and if a vehicle could've been present.
You can also report it to Doglost.co.uk which is a free site that lists missing pets and helps reunite owners with their dogs.
Report it to your local council and see if they have information. For a list of UK council contact details please see here.
If your dog is microchipped, contact your vet and inform them your pet is missing and they will be able to give you guidance on the microchip database for updates.
Should someone come forward with your dog, be wary and check they are legitimate. Meet in a public area and ideally take someone with you for your own safety, and be cautious if they ask for money or some form of payment.
