Dog Theft: alarming new data reveals a rise in the UK

Alarmingly since May, over 500 dogs* have been stolen in the UK, even since the Government set up its Pet Theft taskforce.

In fact, the taskforce report confirmed that around 2,000* dog theft crimes are reported per year, prompting security retailers Safe.co.uk to assess the nation’s pet security habits.

After surveying the nation, Safe has revealed that one in four Brits don’t have any security precautions around the home and over half (53%) have no garden defences, a key area when owning a pet.

The survey further uncovered that two-thirds (66%) of Brits don’t have any motion sensor lighting, 61% don’t have a garden gate lock and 80% don’t have CCTV in place.

Less than a quarter (23%)* of pets taken in 2020 were returned to their owners, resulting in heartache across the country.

Pledging to keep pets safe and to save owners the trauma of losing an animal, Safe has comprised the following tips:

Lighting – Installed to add to the pleasant evening aesthetics of a garden, it also acts as a deterrent towards burglars and gives the homeowner clearer visions of any wrongdoings in the area.
Barriers – Whether choosing a wall or fencing, barriers will protect the garden whilst also keeping the animal secure with no opportunity to escape. Be careful not to exceed two metres however, or planning permission is needed.
CCTV – If a burglar spots a camera in the garden, they are less likely to consider breaking in. There is also the advantage of monitoring any outdoor space and the ability to check any previous footage to use as evidence, which could be vital with the plans to give out further sentences to pet thieves.
Locks – Locking any gates with padlocks will also ensure a more difficult entrance for burglars.
Gravel – Having gravel as a path or driveway could give an early indication of someone approaching the property. Try to make the property as difficult as possible to approach undetected.
Training – Training a dog to bark if it hears any potential intruders can scare off the burglars and alert the homeowners. Search for simple training techniques to ensure the dog knows how to react if it hears a noise outside.
Throughout lockdown, the demand for pets rose dramatically due to people living on their own seeking companionship. In fact, new data shows that 18% more households have a furry friend in 2021 compared to 2020, and overall 59% of UK households have a pet.

Some areas are suffering more than others for dog theft. In fact, new data has revealed the three regions that need to be as vigiliant as possible. The North West, London and the South East were hotspots for it in 2020, new figures sho