Charity points recommendation as canine theft on the rise in UK

With pet theft reported to be on the rise within the UK, Dogs Trust Darlington, the UK’s main canine welfare charity, has issued steerage to homeowners in a bid to forestall a lot cherished dogs from being separated from their households. 

 This Thursday (14th March) is Dogs Theft Awareness Day, and in keeping with a recent report by Direct Line, 2,290 dogs had been stolen throughout the UK in 2023, a six per cent enhance on 2022.  
 
However, regardless of the very distressing nature of getting a canine stolen, pet theft just isn’t a selected crime. The crime of stealing a canine is handled in the identical manner because the theft of home items corresponding to telephones and bikes, with out contemplating the large emotional affect shedding a pet has on households and people.  

 For many years, Dogs Trust has referred to as for harsher penalties to discourage those that revenue from the theft of dogs. Earlier this 12 months, a Private Members Bill, that has cross-party assist obtained its second studying within the Houses of Parliament. If profitable, this might see Pet Theft turn out to be a selected offence. 

 To assist homeowners cut back the chance of their canine being stolen, Dogs Trust has issued the next recommendation: 

·       Ensure your own home and property boundaries are safe – preserve your canine in and intruders out.  

·       Keep a watch in your canine when they’re within the backyard and by no means go away them unsupervised. 

·       Do you put up footage of your canine on social media? If so, commonly assessment your privateness settings and ensure your tackle can’t be recognized out of your posts. 

·       When exercising your canine, at all times preserve them in sight and take note of what they’re doing. If exercising your canine off lead, be sure that they’ve good recall and are available again to you whenever you name them, no matter the place they’re. 

·       Never go away your canine unattended in a public place – even when it is only for a minute. 

·       Likewise, by no means go away your canine alone in a automotive. As nicely as the chance of being stolen, they’ll additionally simply overheat, even when the climate is chilly or gentle.  

·       Make certain your canine is searchable in case the worst ought to occur. Ensure your canine is carrying a tag with your identify, telephone quantity and tackle on it, and ensure your canine is microchipped. Let your database supplier know if any of your contact particulars change, and preserve up-to-date, clear photographs of your canine, ensuring to indicate any distinctive options. 

 If the worst does occur and your canine is stolen, you’ll be able to really feel helpless and do not know the place to start out in search of them. Dogs Trust suggests the next:  

·       Report the theft to the police immediately. Make certain you get against the law reference quantity and demand that your canine is recorded as stolen and never lacking. 

·       Report the theft of your canine to your native authority canine warden. 

·       Notify your microchip database supplier. 

·       Ask native rescue centres, animal charities and vet practices to maintain a watch out on your canine. 

·       Monitor locations thieves might attempt to promote your canine, like pet web sites, pet outlets and see boards. Notify the police instantly for those who come throughout something. 

·       Use lacking and stolen animal web sites such as DogLost which assist to reunite lacking pets with their homeowners by providing free recommendation and assist. 

 Maria Murray, Associate Director Prevention and Community Engagement at Dogs Trust says: “Having your beloved pet stolen is an extremely stressful, often heart-breaking experience. For many owners, pets are members of the family, and being separated from them, without knowing where they are, is devastating.  

“It’s disappointing to hear that pet theft is on the rise, but by following a few simple tips, you can reduce the chances of this despicable crime happening to you. Never leave your dog unattended, especially in a public area, and if you are walking them off lead, always keep them in sight. You should also be careful with what details you share online about your canine companions. 

“Not only is it a legal requirement for your dog to be microchipped and to wear an ID tag while out in public, but these two simple steps will also help to get your dog home to you as quickly as possible if the worst does happen.”