Protect your pooch: Five ways to prevent dog theft
Dog theft is a growing issue that will continue to be a considerable worry for many pet owners in 2022. In a recent survey conducted by the Police and Crime Commission, 97% of respondents stated that dog theft was a serious problem1. Shockingly, statistics from 2021 back this up, revealing that there are almost 200 cases of dog theft a month in the UK, an increase of 7% from 20192. With the rise in inexperienced dog owners since the pandemic, it is more important than ever that people are educated on how to spot and prevent dog theft. With this issue in mind, Kevin Thackrah, Director of pet-care specialists Petpals, shares his insight into how to best prevent your dog from being stolen.
Be Alert
Keep an eye on your dog when it is in the garden as it is a common spot for dog theft. A way to prevent this is by making sure your fences and gates in your garden are secure and in good repair. If you spot anyone lurking around your street, bring your dog inside. Also, keep a lookout for any mentions of dog theft on local community pages as it may highlight if there is a group targeting dogs in your area.
Take Care
It can be an everyday occurrence that leaves your beloved pet at risk. For example, never leave your dog tied up alone when you go into a shop. Also, if your dog is off the lead, do not let it out of your line of sight - you never know who is about. My biggest tip would be to make sure your dog is well trained at call and response. Having this training ensures your dog will come back to you quickly in dognapping situations.
Photos are important!
Keeping a range of photos from different angles can be used to identify your dog if it is stolen. Make sure you do this regularly to keep your images up to date. If your dog has a standout feature, take photos, as something unique like a distinctive birthmark can make all the difference in identifying your dog.
Stranger Danger
Beware of strangers when they are asking questions about your dog. It is true, other dog owners are likely to be friendly and ask about your pet, but always stay alert. Some criminals might be interested in stealing younger dogs for breeding, so they use these conversations to decide which dogs to target.
Don’t be afraid to withhold information when you are being pressed for an answer. For example, if you feel pressured to share some private information about your dog, you can always change the subject.
Identification, Identification, Identification
Microchip your pet to make identification easier. It’s a legal requirement to have any dog over the age of eight weeks microchipped and to keep your details up to date. If the worst does happen, report the theft to the police and your microchip database provider. Make this a priority job, as a quick response can be the difference between recovering and losing your much-loved pet.
For more information about Petpals’ pet-care services, visit www.petpals.com/
1 Sussex Police and Crime Commission, Dog Theft Survey, 2021
2 Kennel Club, Dog Theft figures, 2021