Figures reveal an increase in the number of dog thefts across the UK
The number of dogs stolen across the UK has risen by 6.8% in just 12 months, with an average of five dogs stolen every single day in 2017.
A Freedom of Information Act issued to the UK’s police forces reveals 1,909 dogs were reported as stolen last year compared to the 1,788 stolen in 2016.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is still the most stolen breed of dog, with 210 stolen across Britain in 2017. The numbers of stolen Staffies have, however, decreased by 15% when compared to 2016 reports. Crossbreeds remain the second most stolen dog breed, coinciding with the rise in popularity of breeds like Cockerpoos and Puggles, with 82 crossbreed dogs reported as stolen in 2017.
This continues the trend highlighted by Direct Line in 2017, when research2 revealed that the number of reported cases of dog theft rose by 14% in 2016 compared to the previous year.
The French Bulldog is now the third most commonly stolen breed, rising from fifth place in 2016. Over the course of 2017, 61 French Bulldogs were stolen, compared to 48 in 2016 (a 27% increase).
French Bulldogs are a distinctive breed, popular with celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio, The Rock, Lady Gaga and Madonna, and cost upwards of £1,0003, which may explain the rise in popularity for thieves.
Other changes in the most common breeds targeted by thieves include Huskies, with 17 dogs stolen in 2017, compared to just five in 2016, meaning it is now one of the ten most commonly stolen breeds. This could in part be due to the ‘Game of Thrones effect’ and subsequent rise in ownership of Huskies and other wolf-like breeds.
At the other end of the scale, Lurchers have moved out of the list of the ten most commonly stolen breeds. In 2016, they were ranked eighth but have moved to 19th in 2017, with just six dogs stolen.
The research did, however, uncover some positive news, as the number of dogs returned to their owners also rose in 2017 from 365 to 388. This is a 6.3% increase, meaning that stolen dogs have a 1 in 5 chance of being returned to their owner.
Published: by Radio NewsHub