Ensuring your dog is kept safe is as important as ever as dog theft rates rocketed during the pandemic.
In light of Dog Theft Awareness Day - which kicks off Pet Theft Awareness Week on March 14 - experts have issued top tips on how to get your pup back if they have fallen victim to theft.
With the support of partners Animal Friends Insurance, Pet Theft Reform have been campaigning to make pet theft a specific offence for many years.
The pandemic saw a huge jump in the numbers of dog theft with 2020 having the highest number of dog theft offences on record.
In England and Wales, a total of 1,550 thefts were recorded during 2020 with figures thought to have succeeded this numbering during 2021 - according to Hull Live.
The numbers have reinforced the need for the Pet Theft Reform and partners working to tackle this issue.
In its investigative documentary, Bring Molly Home, the BBC exposes the devastation of dog theft on its victims and how growing demand during the pandemic drove an increase in this cruel and lucrative crime.
One of the key points mentioned in the video was that dog-nappers look for the popular dog breeds, particularly females of puppy-rearing age, whilst owners are walking their dogs.
With this in mind, the experts at Animal Friends have provided some top tips on what to do if you ever fall victim to pet theft:
- Report it to the police
You should call 999 if you witness a theft, or call 101 if you suspect your dog has been stolen. The first step to take is to report your stolen or suspected stolen pet to the police, and provide them with as much information as possible, such as distinct markings, their microchip number and the precise location of where the dog went missing or was taken. You must report that your pet is missing to the local animal warden.
- Contact your microchipping service
Be sure to contact your pet’s microchipping provider to flag that they are lost or stolen, and ensure that all the information on record is up to date. You should also ring around local vets and rescue centres to see whether any dogs that fit the description have been brought in recently, lost and stray dogs are legally allowed to be rehomed after seven days if the owners aren’t identified, so ensure that you keep chasing these services to ensure that your dog hasn’t been brought in.
- Register online and advertise on social media
Social media is a fantastic tool allowing you to reach the masses at the touch of a button, there are many Facebook, Instagram and other social media pages dedicated to reuniting lost and stolen pets with their owners, so engaging with these is a great place to start on your search. You should also register that your dog is missing on Doglost.co.uk, a service which works to reunite lost dogs with their owners.
- Check ‘dog for sale’ posts online
If your dog has been stolen, they may be resold or used for breeding purposes. Keep an eye on any advertisements for dogs for sale online, not only in your area but across the country, as thieves and breeders tend to use online platforms to reach people looking for a new dog. If you spot a dog that looks like yours, be sure to get in touch with the police as soon as possible. Do not approach the sellers yourself as this could be dangerous.
- Revisit the area you last saw them
Whilst it may be a long shot, posting flyers in the surrounding areas will help raise awareness and alert fellow animal lovers to keep a look out and get in touch if they see a similar looking dog.
“The steps taken by the Government so far to help tackle the growing issue of dog theft are incredibly positive and we’re fully supportive of the proposed changes to make it a new criminal offence. However, we must continue to push for cats to be included," explained Wes Pearson, CEO of Animal Friends Insurance.
“Cats play an equally important role as dogs in our families and lives, so why are they being excluded from the protections the new dog abduction offence would bring?
Not only is the data showing an increase in dogs being stolen across the country, cat abduction has also significantly increased, with the data due to be released shortly.
We urge the Government to rethink the proposed changes and ensure that our feline family members are given the same securities as their canine counterparts.
“We would also urge all pet owners to make sure that their pet’s microchip details are up to date – it’s a small thing to do but it will significantly increase your chances of being reunited with your pet if the worst were to happen.”
For more info about pet theft prevention, visit: https://www.animalfriends.co.uk/pet-tools-and-resources/dog-theft-prevention/
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