Latest news with #dogtheft
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dog thefts: what really happened during the COVID pandemic
Dog theft can be a devastating crime. During the COVID pandemic, newspapers suggested there was an epidemic of 'dognapping' in the UK. If you have a dog, the reports may have alarmed you at a time when there were already many reasons to feel afraid. There are mixed views on whether or not lockdown triggered an increase in dog ownership. Animal welfare charity Battersea attributed a 53% increase in dog adoption to lockdown, and online pet adoption service Pets4Homes said in their 2022 report that demand for puppies rose 104% at the peak of lockdown in May 2020. But animal charity PDSA said its survey data pointed to a gradual increase in dog ownership since 2011 rather than a dramatic surge during lockdown. However, we do know lockdown saw inflated prices for dogs, with some fashionable breeds going for £9,000. In terms of criminal activity, social distancing restrictions seemed to lead to a decline in some forms of crime, including shoplifting and burglary. But many media outlets reported the number of dog thefts had increased up to 250% during the pandemic. Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK's latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences. We wanted to explore if the data supported claims of a dognapping epidemic and whether patterns in dog theft could suggest ways to help reduce it. Our recent study found new insights into dog theft patterns and showed the situation was more complicated than it seemed at first glance. Under the Theft Act 1968, dog theft is not a specific offence. It comes under other theft offences, such as burglary or theft from a person. This means police records on dog theft were not included in crime statistics. The only way to access such information is through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to individual police forces. There are 45 territorial and three special police forces in the UK, and each has its own reporting and recording practices. Although police FOI data for dog theft must be approached with caution, it is useful. Previous studies exploring police FOI data found an upward trend in recorded dog thefts in England and Wales: rising nearly 20% from 2015 (1,545) to 2018 (1,849) for 41 police forces combined; and up 3.5% year on year from 2019 (1,452) to 2020 (1,504) for 33 police forces. DogLost, a UK online community for reuniting lost and stolen dogs with their owners, reported a 170% increase in stolen dogs (with Crime Reference Numbers) registered on their website in 2020 (465), compared to 2019 (172). This figure was widely quoted as a national increase 'since lockdown started' by the media. The 250% increase figure first quoted in December 2020 was actually a comparison of two seven-month periods (January-July 2019 and 2020) for only one police force. Patterns and trends Our study found the data for the period covering the COVID pandemic is also incomplete. Data was provided by 32 forces (71%) for 2020, by 27 forces (60%) for 2021, and 23 forces (51%) for 2022. Patterns and trends do, however, emerge. Between 2020 and 2022, the available data shows a 3.7% rise in dog thefts in the UK, from 1,573 to 1,631. When making adjustments for the number of police forces providing data (which decreased over the period), the estimated national figures suggest there may have been more significant rise of up to 44.2%. While we cannot assume that the forces who supplied data are representative of all 45 regional forces, if this were the case, it would equate to 2,212 recorded dog thefts in 2020, 2,645 in 2021, and 3,191 in 2022. There was a lot of variation between different areas. For example, Cambridgeshire, Gwent and Northumbria police forces experienced increases of 36%, 49% and 80% respectively in the number of recorded dog thefts between 2020 and 2021. Monthly analysis of data from regional police forces and DogLost, show that the number of reports of stolen dogs started to go up when the UK entered its first national lockdown and again during part of the third lockdown. But the average number of police-recorded dog thefts was actually slightly higher outside of lockdown periods than during them between 2020 and 2022. However, in contrast with police trends, DogLost data shows a 65.2% drop in dogs reported stolen on DogLost's website in 2022 compared to 2020. Lower DogLost numbers may reflect limited visibility or presence of their networks, the use of alternative lost and stolen dog services, or reluctance to share personal details online due to scams targeting dog theft victims. Our study found that, overall, there probably was an increase in dog theft from 2020 to 2022, following already identified increases in the preceding years. This rise was probably driven by a combination of opportunity (more dogs, higher value) and situational factors (accessibility, dogs unattended in gardens while owners were inside). Our evidence does not support the notion of a widespread epidemic as portrayed by the media. However, increased media interest probably amplified awareness of the issue, and influenced the creation of the Pet Theft Taskforce, a UK government initiative set up in May 2021 to investigate and tackle dog thefts. New research appears to confirm the idea that dog abduction has significant welfare effects on both dogs and their owners. We also know that few dog thefts are successfully resolved, with under a quarter of stolen dogs likely to be returned and around 1%-5% of reported dog thefts result in someone being charged. However, there is potential good news. Our ongoing research suggests the number of police-recorded dog thefts decreased slightly in 2023, and again in 2024. This is supported by research from pet insurer Direct Line, which has estimated a 21% decrease in the number of stolen dogs from 2,290 in 2023 to 1,808 in 2024 in the UK. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Daniel Allen is founder of Pet Theft Reform and patron of the Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance (Sampa). Melanie Flynn is a member of the Research Advisory Committee of the Vegan Society (UK). John Walliss does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
BBC News
5 days ago
- BBC News
Stolen German Shepherd dog sparks police appeal in Woking
Police are appealing for the public's help to locate a dog which was stolen from a property in property in Gloster Road, Old Woking, was broken into at about 22:45 BST on Police has released an image of the stolen four-year-old white German Shepherd-Cross dog."Her owners have been left very upset by the disappearance and would appreciate any help from members of the public who could assist with her safe return," a spokesperson said. Police said officers were interested in speaking to three women who were seen near the address at about the time of the theft and who left in a white who has CCTV or dashcam footage that may have captured any suspicious activity or anyone who has been offered a white German Shepherd-Cross for sale recently is urged to contact the force.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Yahoo
Tuscaloosa police searching for suspect who allegedly stole dog from owner's vehicle
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) — Tuscaloosa police are searching for a suspect who allegedly stole a dog from someone's car. TPD says the man stole the dog of its owner car at Target Saturday morning. The owner left the windows open when she briefly went into the store, TPD says. The owner is offering a $1,000 reward for a safe return of the dog. The suspect was driving a maroon Dodge Ram with Mississippi tags. The dog's name is Hollie and it has a microchip, and can be identified and returned home if taken to a vet's office or a law enforcement agency. Anyone with information can call TPD anonymously at 205-349-2121. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
08-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Soldier is 'stabbed while walking his dog in random attack' near British Army base - as police launch probe
A soldier was stabbed while walking his dog near a British Army base. The 20-year-old soldier was off duty and dressed in plain clothing while walking his pet just two miles from the Swinton Barracks at Perham Down, Wiltshire. Wielding a knife, the attacker attempted to steal the dog on Friday afternoon but was unsuccessful. The soldier was left with 'relatively minor' injuries and did not require further treatment. A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: 'At around 3.45pm, we received a report that an unknown suspect had approached a man walking a dog in woodland near Perham Down and attempted to snatch the lead of the dog. 'The victim, a man in his 20s, suffered a minor injury to his face during the incident. 'Our enquiries into the incident are ongoing.' The attack was not related to the victim's role as a soldier and is not being treated as a terrorist incident. The 20-year-old soldier was off duty and dressed in plain clothing while walking his pet just two miles from the Swinton Barracks on Friday A source told The Sun: 'The attacker approached him and produced a knife, and demanded that he hand the dog over. 'Obviously he refused. The knifeman made a lunge at him, and he was wounded in the face. 'The attacker wouldn't have known he was in the military, but obviously, with the threats soldiers face, this is still an alarming incident.' Swinton Barracks houses two Royal Engineer regiments and two Signal regiments. It is a 320-acre military estate that is regularly used for British Army drills.
Daily Mail
05-06-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Machete-wielding robbers broke into our home and stole £20k in jewellery and watches but we don't care about any of that... they took our DOG
The devastated owners of a dog stolen by machete-wielding robbers say they are living through 'their worst nightmare' as they continue to search for his whereabouts four months on. Sashi Shutt, 40, was left terrified after being pinned against the wall by the violent gang as they ransacked the home she shared with her RAF officer husband Jason, 53, in Ruislip, West London. The robbers viciously stole £20,000 in cash, jewellery and designer watches, alongside the one item that the family deems as 'priceless' - their beloved eight-year-old pug, Ozzie. Since that fateful day on February 10, the Shutts have neither heard from or caught sight of the beige-haired pet, who has a distinctive scar on his hind leg after previously undergoing treatment for cancer. Despite repeated appeals for information, the family has been left bereft by what might have actually happened to Ozzie, who needs regular medication. Speaking to MailOnline, Jason's daughter Serena, 22, who is one of four siblings and lives in Dorset, said her family had been through enough emotional turmoil and simply wanted answers. Serena, an aerial silk instructor, said: 'As horrible as it sounds, if a day later we found Ozzie and he was deceased, it would have been so much easier than the pain we're going through right now. 'We still don't know what happened four months later.' Recalling the events of that morning, Serena explained how her father had gone to the RAF base close to the house, while her younger brother, Harry, 14, was on his way to school, at around 8.30am. Owner Jason Shutt, 53, pictured with Ozzie, is living his 'worst nightmare' after the dog was taken during the violent robbery in February A short while later her step-mother Sashi, an NHS nurse, had left for work but turned back after realising she had left some items in the house. 'She just came home to grab whatever she'd forgotten - and then walked in on this robbery. One of the gang pinned her up against the wall with a machete, and told her not to move. 'They had come in through the bottom dining room window. The latch was slightly off, so they must have just got through the window, opened up all the doors and ransacked the house. 'They went upstairs, took my dad's entire watch collection, which was worth about £20,000, and jewellery that was sentimental. Both of their parents had died and left jewellery for them. That's all gone, so they'll never get that back. 'They took £1,000 in cash that was saved up for holidays as well. 'But when they finally left, my step-mum realised Ozzie was nowhere to be seen or heard.' The family initially thought the dog may have run off after the door was left open, but now strongly suspect the robbers, who were fully clothed in black and wearing balaclavas, stole Ozzie during the raid. 'We thought he'd run off and that we'd find him within two hours, because you know, what are they going to do with an eight-year-old pug who is neutered? They would have no use for him. 'But there were no sightings of him at all and then a couple of days after, we actually found muddy boot prints by Harry's bed, where Ozzie would have been sleeping. 'We also discovered a black cabin bag that was at the top of the stairs had been taken so realistically we think they could have used that bag to to snatch him up and take him.' Serena said the family's pain of Ozzie's absence has been made all the worse because of the 'deep connection' he had with them. She said: 'Any pug owner would get this. They're not like normal dogs - he would literally get the front seat in the car over anybody else. 'He sleeps where he wants and he gets the most presents at Christmas. 'If you talk to him, he tilts his head like he just understands you. 'He's so in tune with with us, and more aware than than any dog we've ever had. He has to be completely connected to you, and that's what worries us so much because of this deep connection he had with us. 'I just can't imagine how he's feeling, and if I think about too much, I just start crying. 'We can only hope that he's being looked after. But again, we just don't know. We don't even know if he's alive.' Four months on, Sashi - who suffered PTSD as a result of the robbery - has moved with Jason to another property after finding it too traumatising to continue living in their home. Their search for Ozzie has also continued, with the family posting regularly on social media with renewed appeals - and are offering a reward for any information that could bring the diminutive dog home. Serena added: 'If someone has Ozzie, I just want them to know that nothing you do will compare to the life that he had with us and the love that we gave him, and how much he loves us. 'He needs to be back with us. 'Even if you have bought Ozzie innocently, all you need to do is go to a vet, say you have found a stray dog and walk away. We don't care to know your name, or how you came to have him. 'No more questions will be asked, we just care about bringing Ozzie home.' A Met Police spokesperson said: 'We were called at 9.36 am on Monday, 10 February to an aggravated burglary in Bridgwater Road, Ruislip. 'Officers swiftly attended and spoke to the victim. 'The victim was threatened with a knife by the two suspects before they fled the property with a number of items. 'Detectives from the West Area's Burglary and Robbery Team are investigating. 'No arrests have been made. Enquiries continue.
