WALES DIVIDES UK DOG THEFT FIGURES

FROM BEST IN SHOW TO WORST: WALES DIVIDES UK DOG THEFT FIGURES

DYFED-POWYS dogs are among the most likely to be stolen in the UK while pooches in South Wales are the safest, according to new figures.

South Wales Police recorded the UK’s biggest drop in stolen dogs at 75 per cent over the last three years, while Dyfed-Powys’s numbers soared by 169 per cent to rank the constabulary as the second worst in the country behind Lincolnshire.

But a pet charity says the rocketing recorded figures in Dyfed-Powys – which leapt from 23 dogs stolen in 2016 to 70 last year – could mean the force is taking the problem seriously.

And Pet Theft Awareness – which campaigns for a change in the law to recognise dog theft as a specific crime – said the constabulary faces an uphill battle amid a spate of large-scale puppy thefts from rural breeders.

Burglaries like one in Carmarthenshire which saw 15 West Highland terrier and King Charles spaniel pups taken in a single raid last October can net a thief thousands of pounds.

The lucrative trend of raiding farms and breeders for pedigree pups has seen handbag dogs such as Chihuahuas and pugs being among the most sought after by thieves, with working dogs also considered prized targets.

Jack Russells were the Dyfed-Powys pet thief’s top dog, while in South Wales and Gwent crooks preferred French bulldogs. The most commonly stolen pedigree across the UK was the Staffordshire bull terrier.

Dyfed-Powys saw a 169 per cent increase in stolen dogs between 2015 and 2017. The UK average was a 25 per cent rise, according to data obtained by pet insurer The Insurance Emporium under the Freedom of Information Act.

The Mid Wales force was also ranked as the third worst hit for dog thefts per capita after Lincolnshire and West Yorkshire, with neighbouring Gwent ranked seventh of the 38 police forces canvassed.

Meanwhile South Wales saw Britain’s biggest reduction in the crimes at 75 per cent, but was only the 14th lowest rate of dog theft when measured against population density.

London, Manchester and West Yorkshire had the most dogs taken altogether.

Across the UK – excluding Scotland which was unable to provide data – 2,017(CORRECT) canines were stolen last year.

The Insurance Emporium Chief Executive Officer Francis Martin said: “Dog theft is a devastating crime and when it happens all you want to do is get your pet back as soon as possible.

“We encourage our customers to follow police advice and take simple steps to keep their pets safe. If the worst should happen, report it to both the police and your insurer as many policies nowadays will cover the costs involved with trying to find your pet.

“Keeping your garden secure, not leaving your dog unattended in public and making sure it’s microchipped and the microchip details kept up-to-date, can all help reduce the risk.”

Campaigner and co-founder of Pet Theft Awareness Richard Jordan said: “We actually want to pay tribute to the police for starting to take this type of crime more seriously.

“Some of the regions with the highest figures are actually the ones we know are taking steps to tackle it, which include more effective recording of data.

“But unfortunately the problem is even bigger than this report shows as we estimate only one in three victims ever report their dog as stolen to the police.

“We’re campaigning for a change in the law to have pet theft recognised as a specific crime because as things are it’s classed no differently to having your bicycle stolen.”

Police warn that microchipping is now a legal requirement, and advise owners not to leave dogs unattended in public areas.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokeswoman said: “Dyfed-Powys Police has new crime recording practices which has meant we are better at more accurately reflecting the crime reported to us within our crime statistics, providing a better service to our communities.”

To sign the Pet Theft Awareness petition for a change in the law visit pettheft.org.uk and for more information on The Insurance Emporium go to theinsuranceemporium.co.uk.

Pedigree breeds stolen 2015-17 (UK)

1. Staffordshire bull terrier 684 (20% [of pedigrees])
2. Chihuahua 261 (7%)
3. Jack Russell 247 (7%)
4. French bulldog 171 (5%)
5. Labrador 143 (4%)
6. Pug 123 (4%)
7. Bulldog (English/British) 119 (3%)

=7. German shepherd 119 (3%)

1. Yorkshire terrier 113 (3%)

1. Cocker spaniel 105 (3%)

Total no of dogs stolen 2017

1. Metropolitan Police 225
2. West Yorkshire Police 221
3. Greater Manchester Police 157

One dog stolen per ‘000 human population

1. Lincolnshire 2.4
2. West Yorkshire 3.7
3. Dyfed-Powys 4.4

Greatest increase total dogs stolen 2015-17

1. Lincolnshire 171%
2. Dyfed-Powys Police 150%
3. Cambridgeshire 125%