- Dognapping has actually ended up being an increasing phenomenon throughout the previous years alone
It is every dog owner’s headache – the sickening realisation that a precious family pet has actually been nabbed away by criminals.
As Twiglet the Dachshund is gone back to her grateful millionaire owners Jo and Jamie Vindis, there are countless cases where there is no happy ending.
In truth the blight of dognapping cases has actually just increased, with the most recent stats revealing 2,760 a year are being taken.
The number is comparable to around 8 animals being nabbed every day.
And it is a big increase of around 283 percent considering that 2015, when there were simply 707. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, it was 2,199.
A chilling map reveals the UK’s dognapping locations – and Jack Russells and French Bulldogs are most at danger.
An overall of 45 French Bulldogs were taken, up 29 percent on the previous year, while a more 24 Jack Russells were likewise taken – a 140 percent increase on the 10 taped in 2020.
Other smaller sized types such as Chihuahuas, Pugs and American Bulldogs were likewise extremely searched for amongst wrongdoers, according to figures formerly revealed under a Freedom of Information demand and assembled by Direct Line Pet Insurance.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers were formerly the most popular target breed for burglars, however dropped to seventh in 2015 following an 88 percent fall.
London is a specific hotspot and the effective return rate varieties are as low as in between 5 percent in Brent and Sutton to 18 percent in Richmond upon Thames.
Of the 3,921 dogs taken, 478 have actually been returned, leaving some 3,443 animals missing out on in the capital.
The figures, which have actually been looked at by the Greater London Assembly, reveal the considerable issue dealt with by family pet owners in the capital. with dogs a continuous target for expert gangs.
Nationally, around 6 dogs a day are taken with simply one in 4 being reunited with their owners.
Madeline Pike, a Veterinary Nurse for Direct Line Pet Insurance said: ‘It’s ravaging to see the variety of dogs taken continues to increase throughout the nation.
‘Unfortunately, the increase in dog ownership since the pandemic began and the subsequent rise in prices of these animals seems to make the crime even more appealing to thieves.’
‘The law will quickly acknowledge dogs as family members with sensations, not simply owned property and we hope that this will prevent wrongdoers, particularly if they can be penalized more significantly if prosecuted.’
Ms Pike recommended owners to take preventative measures such as seeing a puppy they prepare to buy with its mom to guarantee they are not purchasing from a criminal organisation, and as soon as in belongings of an animal not to leave it bound outside a shop, or leave it inside an empty car.
‘It’s likewise essential to keep microchipping contact information approximately date in case your dog does go missing out on and is handed in,’ she included.
Claire Calder, head of public affairs at Dogs Trust said: ‘ Having your precious family pet taken is an incredibly difficult, typically heart-breaking experience. For years, Dogs Trust has actually required harsher charges to prevent those who benefit from this despicable criminal offense.
‘We invite the proposed steps in the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals Bill) to present harder sentences for those that take dogs and acknowledge the psychological effect that this has actually on their owners. However, the Bill has regretfully not advanced for over a year and requires to be urgently restored or we will miss out on the chance to adequately tackle this abhorrent criminal offense.’
A shocking 98 percent of dog burglars leave without charge.
Failure to take on the criminal offense leaves almost 200 households ravaged monthly, according to the Kennel Club.
The Government released an animal theft taskforce in May 2021 – however numerous dogs have actually been taken considering that.
Coronavirus constraints over the last number of years have actually caused a boom in the puppy market, with 3.8 million individuals getting a dog throughout the pandemic.
The need has actually caused an increase in the cost of dogs, with pedigree French Bulldogs costing upwards of £3000, making them a financially rewarding target for wrongdoers.
