Latest news with #PetAbductionAct
The Guardian
12-03-2025
- The Guardian
Would you risk stealing a rottweiler? More and more criminals are prepared to …
Name: Dog thefts. Age: As far back as 1952, the British media were reporting a 'dognapping wave', which coincided with a demand for dogs for laboratory experimentation. Noooo! Stolen to be experimented on! Then, in 1956, Dodie Smith wrote The Hundred and One Dalmatians, featuring Cruella de Vil … Noooo! Stolen to make a fur coat! Worse still. True. Puppies, too. Though on the plus side, they were rescued – and it's fiction. Hopefully this wickedness has been stamped out for good? 'Fraid not. According to analysis of police data by Direct Line pet insurance, 1,808 dogs were stolen across the UK last year. Noooo! Stolen for … what? Money, often. The most stolen dog, the French bulldog (51 snatched last year, up 38% on 2023) can cost £5,000 from a legitimate breeder, so they are a popular target for criminals. But it's not like stealing a car – those poor dogs are like someone's babies, almost. Exactly. Adam Burgin, head of Direct Line pet insurance, said victims 'will know the intense stress and trauma that comes with having their beloved pet snatched away from them, often with no closure on knowing what happened to a member of the family'. Because they're never found? Only one in five of the 23,430 dogs stolen in the past decade were recovered. There is some good news though – and some possibly surprising news, too. Can I have the good first, please? I need it. Overall, dog-theft figures have fallen, down 21% on 2023 – possibly due to the introduction last year of the Pet Abduction Act, which makes pet theft a criminal offence in England and Northern Ireland, punishable by up to five years in prison. And the possibly surprising news? Some breeds are bucking the downward trend. Which ones? Well, the biggest rise in thefts, up 180% year on year, is for … rottweilers. What?! Who'd take one of them? They're terrifying! They are also something of a status symbol. Celebrity rottweiler owners have included Robbie Williams, Will Smith, Leonardo DiCaprio … Does he trade them in when they get to around whatever 25 is in dog years? Stop it. At up to 86cm in height and weighing up to 60kg, rottweilers are often used as guard dogs. There's irony in pets kept to prevent burglary getting stolen. Never mind irony, I'd be more concerned about those teeth. With puppies going for two and a half grand, criminals might not see the teeth for the pound signs, as the saying goes. Do say: 'Sorry pal, but you're staying on the lead.' Don't say: 'So sad! What I miss most about her is ... her potential for producing litters of high-value puppies.'
Telegraph
12-03-2025
- Telegraph
The big (and small) breeds most targeted by dog thieves
Dog thieves are targeting bigger and more intimidating breeds, with Rottweilers suffering the highest increase in thefts. An estimated 1,808 dogs were stolen across the UK last year, according to police figures. Pedigree Rottweiler puppies can cost up to £2,500, making them a lucrative target for criminals who can sell the dogs on. With male adult dogs weighing around 55kg and standing about 85cm in height, the breed can prove a deterrent to would-be burglars. However, dog enthusiasts said the breed's status as a guard dog was not necessarily fuelling the thefts. Beverley Cuddy, editor of Dogs Today magazine and patron of campaign group the Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance, said: 'It's difficult to know what is going through the thieves' minds. Sometimes they may have a specific purpose in mind for them. 'Something like a Rottweiler might be sold on as a guard dog. 'Or they might be thinking they will breed them and then abandon them when they are no longer fertile, which is why we sometimes see dogs coming back after eight or so years.' Ms Cuddy added: 'The stigma around the breed is certainly calming down a bit but even so, the people doing this must be thinking of the pound signs.' In contrast, the theft of XL bullies has dropped by 49 per cent following the ban on the breed introduced in England and Wales last February. An estimated 1,808 dogs were stolen across the UK last year, according to analysis of police data by Direct Line Pet Insurance. The insurer found French bulldogs were the most likely breed to be stolen in 2024. Some 51 French bulldogs were stolen last year, an increase of 38 per cent on 2023. This breed can cost up to £5,000 when bought from a reputable breeder, making them another attractive option for criminals to sell on. Over the past 10 years, 23,430 dogs have been reported stolen to police, according to FoI requests, with only one in five (5,005 or 21 per cent) being returned. Last year's total theft figures showed a 21 per cent drop overall compared to 2023. Despite this, 61 per cent of owners say they are worried about the possibility of their dog being stolen – with 40 per cent saying they would only ever walk their dog on a lead and 17 per cent saying they use a tracking device. The Pet Abduction Act came into effect in May last year, making pet theft a criminal offence in England and Northern Ireland, punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine, or both. The reduction in thefts might be an early sign that the new law was having a positive impact, a Direct Line spokesman said. Adam Burgin, head of Direct Line pet insurance, said: 'As a nation of pet lovers, we hope to continue the downward trend in the number of stolen dogs. 'Our research over the last decade has shown dog theft is a persistent issue and hopefully the Pet Abduction Act 2024 will encourage a change in criminal behaviour in the long term. 'Those who have fallen victim to dog theft will know the intense stress and trauma that comes with having their beloved pet snatched away from them, often with no closure on knowing what happened to a member of their family.'
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Yahoo
Couple reunited with dog stolen more than seven years ago in ‘dream come true'
A couple who never gave up hope after their dog was stolen more than seven years ago has said it is a 'dream come true' after the RSPCA reunited them. Rita and Philip Potter from Norfolk said they 'never gave up hope on her being found one day' after their beloved pet Daisy the Labrador was stolen from their garden in November 2017. The theft sparked social media appeals and a petition urging the government to do more to tackle pet theft. Daisy, now 13-years-old, was discovered more than 200 miles away by Kim Walters, an RSPCA inspector who carried out routine investigations in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset on February 2 and found the Labrador with untreated mammary masses. The inspector took Daisy to a vet and checked her microchip where she found contact details for Mr and Mrs Potter. The couple struggled to hold back tears after Daisy was returned to her former home in Old Buckenham on Thursday. Mrs Potter, 80, said she and her husband are 'so, so grateful' for the RSCPA reuniting them with Daisy, adding their pet will now be given 'lots of love and attention'. 'We kept a photograph on the mantlepiece and would look at it every day thinking of her and where she might be. So it is an absolute dream come true that the RSPCA found her and have returned her to us – where she belongs – we are so, so grateful,' she said. 'We know she is elderly now and has health issues but whatever time she has left she will now be surrounded by lots of love and attention. 'The whole family was so excited to hear the news that my grandchildren went to buy her toys and treats – she also now has not just one – but two comfy beds.' Daisy's theft was widely reported after witnesses claim they saw her being bundled into a truck near their home by suspected backyard breeders, who make profit from breeding animals that are often in unsafe conditions. The couple reported the incident to the police, but the number plate could not be traced. Mr and Mrs Potter were part of several social media and press appeals to locate Daisy, which earned support from actor Tom Hardy after he reshared their post. The couple also campaigned for the government to do more to tackle pet theft and set up a petition which attracted more than 100,000 signatures. In 2024, the Government passed the Pet Abduction Act law which could see perpetrators face a maximum five year prison sentence, a fine, or both. Ms Walters, the inspector who found Daisy, said she was 'a bit choked' after reuniting the dog with her owners and urged anyone with information about the theft to contact the RSPCA or the police. 'I was a bit choked from listening to them and clearly how much they loved her, so it was great telling them that we could get her back home soon once we had made sure she was fit enough to travel and we had arrangements in place for the four hour journey to take place, ' she said. Andy Cook, behavioural welfare adviser at the Brent Knoll Animal Centre, the RSPCA branch in North Somerset where Daisy was cared for, said: 'It seems Daisy has been used for backyard breeding and she has a number of mammary masses, she has slight hip dysplasia and her coat was quite dirty when she came to us as though she had not been groomed for many years. 'She is quite elderly for a Labrador at the age of 13 and we think she is deaf, but she is adorable. 'She really is the sweetest girl and will wag her tail whenever she sees you but since she was stolen it is clear she has had a hard life.'
The Guardian
08-02-2025
- The Guardian
Norfolk couple reunited with their dog stolen seven years ago
A couple whose dog was stolen more than seven years ago have said it was a 'dream come true' when the RSPCA reunited them. Rita and Philip Potter, from Norfolk, said they 'never gave up hope on her being found one day' after thieves stole theirlabrador Daisy from their garden in November 2017. The theft inspired online appeals, and 100,000 people petitioned the government to increase efforts to prevent pet theft. In 2024 the previous government passed the Pet Abduction Act, which included a maximum five-year prison sentence for offenders. Kim Walters, an RSPCA inspector, found Daisy, now 13 years old, with untreated mammary masses more than 200 miles away during routine investigations in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, on 2 February. After taking Daisy to a vet, the inspector discovered the labrador's microchip, where she found contact details for the Potters. The couple could barely contain their emotion when Daisy was returned to her home in Old Buckenham on Thursday. Rita Potter, 80, said she and her husband were 'so, so grateful' to the RSCPA for reuniting them with Daisy, adding their pet would be given 'lots of love and attention'. 'We kept a photograph on the mantlepiece and would look at it every day, thinking of her and where she might be. So it is an absolute dream come true that the RSPCA found her and have returned her to us – where she belongs – we are so, so grateful,' she said. Walters, the inspector who found Daisy, said she was 'a bit choked' after reuniting the dog with her owners and urged anyone with information about the theft to contact the RSPCA or the police. 'I was a bit choked from listening to them and clearly how much they loved her, so it was great telling them that we could get her back home soon once we had made sure she was fit enough to travel and we had arrangements in place for the four-hour journey to take place,' she said. Witnesses said they saw Daisy being bundled into a truck near the Potters' house by suspected backyard breeders. Backyard breeding is described by the RSPCA as 'the irresponsible breeding of animals in inadequate conditions with insufficient care'. The couple reported the incident to the police, but the number plate could not be traced. The theft of Daisy was reported far and wide and even gained the attention of Hollywood actor Tom Hardy after he shared the couple's social media posts. 'We know she is elderly now and has health issues, but whatever time she has left, she will now be surrounded by lots of love and attention,' Rita Potter said. 'The whole family was so excited to hear the news that my grandchildren went to buy her toys and treats – she also now has not just one – but two comfy beds.'
The Independent
08-02-2025
- The Independent
Couple reunited with dog stolen from garden more than seven years ago
After more than seven years of heartache and unwavering hope, a Norfolk couple has been reunited with their beloved Labrador. Daisy was stolen from Rita and Philip Potter's garden in November 2017. A tireless search followed, which included social media campaigns and a petition urging government action against pet theft, and finally reached its joyous conclusion thanks to the RSPCA. Daisy, now 13, was discovered over 200 miles away in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, by RSPCA inspector Kim Walters during routine investigations. Noticing untreated mammary masses, Inspector Walters took Daisy to a vet where a microchip scan revealed the Potters' contact information. The emotional reunion took place at the Potters' Old Buckenham home on Thursday, bringing tears of joy and relief to the couple who had 'never given up hope on her being found one day.' The discovery underscores the importance of microchipping pets and the dedication of organizations like the RSPCA in reuniting lost animals with their families. Mrs Potter, 80, said she and her husband are 'so, so grateful' for the RSCPA reuniting them with Daisy, adding their pet will now be given 'lots of love and attention'. 'We kept a photograph on the mantlepiece and would look at it every day thinking of her and where she might be. So it is an absolute dream come true that the RSPCA found her and have returned her to us – where she belongs – we are so, so grateful,' she said. 'We know she is elderly now and has health issues but whatever time she has left she will now be surrounded by lots of love and attention. 'The whole family was so excited to hear the news that my grandchildren went to buy her toys and treats – she also now has not just one – but two comfy beds.' Daisy's theft was widely reported after witnesses claim they saw her being bundled into a truck near their home by suspected backyard breeders, who make profit from breeding animals that are often in unsafe conditions. The couple reported the incident to the police, but the number plate could not be traced. Mr and Mrs Potter were part of several social media and press appeals to locate Daisy, which earned support from actor Tom Hardy after he reshared their post. The couple also campaigned for the government to do more to tackle pet theft and set up a petition which attracted more than 100,000 signatures. In 2024, the Government passed the Pet Abduction Act law which could see perpetrators face a maximum five year prison sentence, a fine, or both. Ms Walters, the inspector who found Daisy, said she was 'a bit choked' after reuniting the dog with her owners and urged anyone with information about the theft to contact the RSPCA or the police. 'I was a bit choked from listening to them and clearly how much they loved her, so it was great telling them that we could get her back home soon once we had made sure she was fit enough to travel and we had arrangements in place for the four hour journey to take place, ' she said. Andy Cook, behavioural welfare adviser at the Brent Knoll Animal Centre, the RSPCA branch in North Somerset where Daisy was cared for, said: 'It seems Daisy has been used for backyard breeding and she has a number of mammary masses, she has slight hip dysplasia and her coat was quite dirty when she came to us as though she had not been groomed for many years. 'She is quite elderly for a Labrador at the age of 13 and we think she is deaf, but she is adorable. 'She really is the sweetest girl and will wag her tail whenever she sees you but since she was stolen it is clear she has had a hard life.'
