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This Thursday (March 14) marks Dogs Theft Awareness Day, and in response to a recent report by Direct Line, 2,290 dogs have been stolen throughout the UK in 2023 – a six per cent improve on 2022.
“However, regardless of the very distressing nature of getting a canine stolen, pet theft is just not a selected crime,” a spokesperson for Dogs Trust Shoreham stated.
“Currently, the crime of stealing a canine is handled in the identical means because the theft of home items comparable 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 yr, a Private Members Bill, that has cross-party assist acquired its second studying within the Houses of Parliament. If profitable, this is able to see pet theft turn into a selected offence.”
With pet theft reported to be on the rise within the UK, the canine welfare charity has issued the next steering to house owners ‘in a bid to prevent much loved dogs from being separated from their families’:
– Ensure your home and property boundaries are safe – maintain your canine in and intruders out;
– Keep an eye fixed in your canine when they’re within the backyard and by no means depart them unsupervised;
– Do you put up footage of your canine on social media? If so, repeatedly evaluation your privateness settings and ensure your handle can’t be recognized out of your posts;
– When exercising your canine, all the time maintain them in sight and take note of what they’re doing. If exercising your canine off lead, be certain that they’ve good recall and are available again to you while you name them, no matter the place they’re;
– Never depart your canine unattended in a public place – even when it is only for a minute;
– Likewise, by no means depart your canine alone in a automotive. As effectively as the danger of being stolen, they’ll additionally simply overheat, even when the climate is chilly or delicate;
– Make positive your canine is searchable in case the worst ought to occur. Ensure your canine is sporting a tag with your title, telephone quantity and handle on it, and ensure your canine is microchipped. Let your database supplier know if any of your contact particulars change, and maintain up-to-date, clear photographs of your canine, ensuring to point out any distinctive options.
If the worst does occur and your canine is stolen, you possibly can really feel helpless and don’t know the place to begin on the lookout for them. Dogs Trust suggests the next:
– Report the theft to the police right away. Make positive you get a criminal offense 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 an eye fixed out to your canine;
– Monitor locations thieves might attempt to promote your canine, like pet web sites, pet outlets and see boards. Notify the police instantly if you happen to come throughout something;
– Use lacking and stolen animal web sites comparable to DogLost which assist to reunite lacking pets with their house owners by providing free recommendation and assist.
Maria Murray, affiliate director prevention and group engagement at Dogs Trust stated: “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.”
For extra info, go to www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/outside/dog-theft-advice.
