Designer Dog Thefts On The Rise

If you have a prized pooch at home, do make sure that you leave your house secure when going out and leaving your pup home alone, as thefts of expensive dogs are on the rise in the UK – and we here at Broadreach Nature+ would hate to think that one of our lovely customers’ pets has been dognapped. A new Direct Line Pet Insurance study has found that one of the most popular targets for thieves at the moment are French bulldogs (now the UK’s favourite breed of dog), as well as Labradors, Staffordshire bull terriers and crossbreeds. Experts say that these pets are now being pinched for either selling on elsewhere, breeding or illegal dog fighting – which is why such cases are on the climb. According to the Daily Express, 61 French bulldogs were stolen in 2017, a 27 per cent hike year on year. The husky is also proving popular, with a marked rise in cases being seen – perhaps down to the interest in shows like Game of Thrones. Staffies are still the most targeted dog, with 210 pinched last year, although this does represent a 15 per cent drop. Crossbreeds like puggles and cockapoos are also being targeted, with 82 such breeds taken in 2017. Regionally, London, West Yorkshire and Kent are the places where dogs are most likely to be stolen so if you do live in these areas please do take extra care with your precious pooches. Head of pet insurance at Direct Line Prit Powar was quoted by the news source as saying: “Having your dog stolen is one of the most distressing things a pet owner can face, particularly as animals are often considered to be members of the family. “There is no excuse for the theft of an animal but some of the reasons behind dog theft include using the animal for dog fighting, breeding or selling on.” He went on to advise pedigree pet owners to be particularly cautious. It would be awful for this to happen to anyone but if it does happen to you, head to social media immediately to make your dog too hot to handle. There have been cases where dogs have been returned anonymously and on the quiet to their owners after thousands of shares on sites like Facebook. In 2016, for example, a cocker spaniel and five puppies were returned to owner Craig Vaughan after the incident was shared hundreds of times on social media all over the UK. According to ITV News, the thieves unscrewed the door of a kennel where the dogs were and made off with them but Mr Vaughan believes that the public outcry online meant the animals couldn’t be sold on because of all the publicity.