Charity’s warning for owners as figures show more dogs stolen in Northamptonshire, and most are never returned

Increase in popularity of pets makes stealing even more appealing to thieves
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More dogs are being stolen in Northamptonshire, according to latest police figures.

A missing pets charity said an increase in dog thefts across the UK is linked to the coronavirus pandemic and warned new owners might accidentally be buying stolen dogs.

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Northamptonshire Police recorded 53 dog thefts in 2021, according to a Freedom of Information request from Direct Line Pet Insurance — up from 20 in 2020 and just eight back in 2019.

A rise in popularity and prices has led to more dogs being 'stolen to order' as thieves cash inA rise in popularity and prices has led to more dogs being 'stolen to order' as thieves cash in
A rise in popularity and prices has led to more dogs being 'stolen to order' as thieves cash in

Just TWO of 53 dogs which went missing were returned to their owners.

Across the UK, 2,077 dogs were reported stolen to 35 police forces which responded to the FoI request, though Direct Line Pet Insurance estimates the real figure to be as high as 2,760.

This estimate was up from 2,438 in 2020 and the highest number since their records began in 2015.

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Madeline Pike, veterinary nurse for Direct Line Pet Insurance, said: “It’s devastating to see the number of dogs stolen continue to increase across the country.

"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."

Ms Pike added that dog owners should take precautions such as keeping their pets on a lead when in busy areas, and avoiding leaving a dog tied up outside a shop or inside an empty car.

Dyfed and Powys saw the highest rate of stolen canines last year, with 36 incidents per 100,000 households.

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Meanwhile, Surrey had a rate of just two dog thefts per 100,000 households. In Northamptonshire, the rate was 17.

The Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance said the demand for dogs during lockdown caused a "huge spike" in them being stolen for breeding, with their value also increasing.

Debbie Matthews, chief executive of the charity, said: "Dogs are also essentially being stolen ‘to order’ for people who were looking for a certain breed, but would never know that they were receiving a stolen dog.

"We would always recommend that a new owner gets the pet’s microchip registration checked as soon as possible."

Direct Line Pet Insurance said French bulldogs were the most stolen breed in 2021, followed by Jack Russells, chihuahuas and pugs.