Dog Thefts Up By 250% in 2020
Protect Your Dog With An Alarm

As a second lockdown refuels demand for puppies in the UK, British police forces urge dog owners and breeders across the country to take extra precautions to protect their pets. And with dog theft up by a staggering 250 per cent in 2020, when criminals capitalised on the pandemic and the unprecedented demand for canine companions that it created, the need to protect our pets with a home alarm system has never been greater.

Puppies In Short Supply During The Pandemic

Until recently, you only had to visit a local shelter to find the perfect pet, but Coronavirus changed all that and, with more of us forced to spend more time at home, the demand for dogs skyrocketed. Shelters emptied, The Kennel Club saw a 168 per cent increase in lonely homeworkers and stressed-out families searching for puppies, and breeder’s waiting lists quadrupled.

2020 was the year we all went mad for a dog to help us whilst we battled long hours at home and months separated from our family and friends, and this saw pedigree puppy prices increase from around £500 to £2,000 and more. Sadly, criminal gangs decided to exploit this and cash in on demand for puppies during lockdown, by stealing our much-loved, four-legged friends for illicit breeding programs.

UK Dog Thefts At An Unprecedented High

Just when we thought 2020 couldn’t get any worse, it turned out to be the worst year on record for dog theft in the UK. A BBC freedom of information request showed a significant increase in dog thefts throughout 2020, with some areas seeing an increase of more than 250% on previous years.

As many dog breeders live in rural locations, areas such as Northumbria, Cornwall, and Devon saw double-digit increases in the number of dogs stolen last year, with Humberside and Suffolk following closely behind. But criminals are not only targeting breeders. Pedigree dogs such as Cocker Spaniels, Springer Spaniels, and Labradors are being stolen from family homes at an alarming rate, with Leicestershire pet owners reporting more dog thefts in 2020, than in 2016, 2017, and 2018 combined.

With organised gangs from England, Ireland, and Europe stealing dogs to order, this number is likely to increase in 2021, and pet owners need to take extra measures to keep their companions safe.

How To Protect Your Dog Against Theft

In a recent statement, a spokesperson for the RSPCA said, “We'd urge all dog owners to take extra precautions to protect their pets from thieves by neutering them, ensuring they are microchipped and ensuring they wear a collar with contact details.”

Norfolk Police has issued a Dog Theft Guide, which advises pet owners to:

- Avoid leaving dogs in the garden or outside kennels if you are not home
- Think twice before leaving your dog secured outside a shop or any other location
- Keep a current photo of your dog at all times
- Avoid leaving dogs in cars alone and NEVER leave a dog in a car on a warm/hot day
- Train your dog to come back when called and never let them off the lead if you are not sure they will come back to you
- Be aware of and report all suspicious vehicles or people to 101
- Don’t give details of your pets, your location or your walking locations out on your social media platforms
- Vary your times of walks and routes; to avoid dogs being targeted during walks

The report also advises against buying dogs from social media sites and unofficial breeders who are unable to provide pedigree papers and ownership documents, as this only increases the demand for stolen pets.

Dog breeders are advised to collect details of anyone coming to view puppies before they arrive, and to limit the number of people that they allow to visit their property at any one time. They should also have at least one other person present to show that they are not alone in the house with the puppies, and they should limit viewings to one secure area.

Prevent Dog Theft With A Home Alarm System

Of course, the best way to prevent dog theft at home is with an alarm system. Norfolk police recommend that pet owners use driveway alarms or monitored CCTV to monitor anyone accessing their property, particularly if they have dog kennels outside.

In the Gundog Theft guide by Dorset Police, dog owners are advised to, “think like a criminal” and look at their property as if they were trying to steal a dog so that they can identify any flaws in their home security.

If your dog lives inside the home, window and dog-flap locks are essential, as is an alarm system to keep would-be pet thieves at bay. Home security systems are highly-effective deterrents that can reduce home break-ins by as much as 60 per cent, and when you combine a home alarm with a CCTV system, your pets will stand a winning chance against the Covid-criminals.

Best Home Alarms For Dogs

When choosing a house alarm for dog-friendly homes, it is essential that you choose one that your pets will not activate during the day, particularly if you have larger dogs. There are many options available to suit every budget and property, so compare home alarms today, and keep you and your pedigree pooch safe.