An estimated 2,355 dogs stolen in 2020 - including 61 in Cornwall and Devon
Figures released by The Kennel Club show our police force had the 7th highest number across the country
Last updated 29th Jul 2021
It is estimated that over 2,300 dogs were stolen last year, including 61 across Cornwall and Devon.
New statistics show there were an estimated 2,355 cases of dog theft in 2020, which is a 7% increase on 2019.
This amounts to more than 196 dogs being stolen every single month.
The Kennel Club put in Freedom of Information requests to the 45 police forces in the UK, to which 36 responded confirming 1,751 thefts.
From those figures, it was estimated 604 dogs were stolen from those police forces that did not respond.
There are also concerns about a failure to tackle the crime as, based on the 27 police forces that gave data, only 2% of all dog theft cases in the UK led to a suspect being charged.
What do the figures show?
The North West is worst for dog-thefts
In the North West there were an estimated 335 dog thefts in 2020 – the highest in the UK – but only one suspect was charged.
No suspect was identified in over a quarter of these reported dog theft cases in the North West (28%) and in 9% a suspect was identified but no action was taken, due to ‘evidential difficulties'.
Figures released by The Kennel Club show almost 150 dogs were stolen across the south-west last year, including 61 across Cornwall and Devon.
That makes us the police force with the seventh highest number across the country.
Over 500 dogs stolen since start of government taskforce
The statistics have been revealed 79 days after the Government’s Pet Theft Taskforce was established (8th May) to help tackle the issue – in which time another 508 dogs have been stolen.
The Kennel Club is urging more transparent recording of pet theft on a central database, so that underlying causes of dog theft can be tackled and for the emotional value of dogs to be recognised in sentencing.
“Dog theft has devastating consequences for both the owners and the animals involved and it is quite frankly jaw dropping that 98 per cent of cases never result in a criminal charge and in more than half, no suspect is ever identified”, said Bill Lambert, Health, Welfare and Breeder Services Executive at The Kennel Club.
“Not only that but when a sentence is handed out it is often treated no more seriously than a petty crime, despite the fact that there is nothing ‘petty’ about pet theft. The low charge rates and the paltry sentences are an almost open invitation to criminals looking to target innocent dog owners.
“Whilst most people will never be unfortunate enough to fall victim to this crime, those that do are left totally bereft but without a clear route to justice. We welcome the Government taking this issue seriously and hope that the Taskforce can deliver meaningful change that will give greater transparency in how we report and record this crime, and deliver more proportionate sentences that treat dog theft with the seriousness it deserves".
Bill Lambert, The Kennel Club
More animal news...
Ferret makes 'miraculous' recovery after going through the wash
Bandit the ferret made a 'miraculous' recovery after going through the wash in January.
Bud the parrot was put on a diet due to a crisp addiction
Bud the parrot was left unable to fly after eating too many crisps. She was put on a diet to help her lose some weight.
A very rare seal pup was rescued from the Yorkshire coast
Egg is a grey seal pup with melanism meaning her coat is almost black. Only 1 in 400 seals are born with the condition.
Neglected dogs become pampered pooches
Thirty abandoned dogs who were found in desperate need of some TLC underwent amazing transformations in RSPCA care.
Our pets might receive the Covid-19 vaccine one day
Scientists have said that our pets may receive the Covid-19 vaccine in the future to help prevent transmission in humans. However, experts assure this is simply precautionary planning for the future and there is no current examples of transmission from pets to owners.
A baby giraffe was named after Margaret Keenan, the first person to receive a Covid-19 vaccine
A baby giraffe born at Whipsnade zoo in Bedfordshire was named Margaret after the first person to receive a Covid-19 vaccine outside of a clinical trial.
Blind guinea pig Ami is guided by her sister Yuki
Being a blind guinea pig doesn't hinder Ami, who is guided by her loyal sister Yuki. According to an RSPCA representative, Yuki "looks out for" her sister every day.
A goat at a bus stop was among the RSPCA's strangest rescues last year
A goat at a bus stop was on the list of the RSPCA's strangest rescues of 2020, which included a seal on the treadmill and a puppy in a lounger chair.
First baby beaver for 600 years
A baby beaver has made history as the first to be born in Norfolk in more than 600 years. Two pairs of beavers were reintroduced near Heacham on the north Norfolk coast, last year. A baby beaver, known as a kit, has since been captured on camera paddling through water at night.
"Angry" chicken ruffles feathers by holding up traffic
An "angry" chicken ruffled feathers by holding up traffic in Littlehampton. Police said the "defensive" bird wasn't allowing anyone near it in Cornwall Road.
Cat missing for more than a decade reunited with owner
Fergus went missing from his Forres owner in late 2010 and 11 years later he was found by Cats Protection volunteers at a recycling centre in Aberdeen. It was only when his microchip was scanned they realised how far away from home he was.
Longleat welcomes first southern koala baby
The first-ever southern koala to have been born in Europe was welcomed by safari park Longleat in Wiltshire, with keepers and staff saying they're 'delighted'.
Missing cat invades football pitch and is reunited with owner
Topsey the cat invaded the pitch during a match between Sheffield Wednesday and Wigan Athletic at Hillsborough Stadium. After the game was stopped so Topsey could have her belly tickled and be escorted off the pitch, she was reunited with owner after being missing for 8 months.