83 dog theft reports made to police covering Lincolnshire and Newark
In many cases a suspect wasn't even identified
We can reveal almost 85 reports of dog thefts were made to police covering Lincolnshire and Newark last year.
Figures by The Kennel Club also show, in many cases, a suspect wasn't even identified by the Lincolnshire, Humberside or Nottinghamshire forces.
In 2020:
- 43 reports were made to Humberside Police
- In 53% of cases no suspect was identified
- 34 reports were made to Nottinghamshire Police
- In 59% of cases no suspect was identified
- 6 reports were made to Lincolnshire Police
- In 67% of cases no suspect was identified
Sgt Jenna Jones from Humberside Police's rural taskforce says they're opening hubs to give out advice.
"We’re seeing a decrease in dog theft, we have had some social media attention with regards to one particular job with three Springer spaniels.
"Luckily they have all been reunited with the family.
“Come to our community safety team who can give you all the leaflets to do with Humber talking and my community alerts.
"You can sign up for the alerts that that we give it in the area."
Paw and Order: Dog Theft Reform
The Kennel Club is calling for more resources to be allocated to the crime and for a more transparent, centralised collection of data about pet theft, including the number of crimes, arrests and convictions.
It's also calling for a reclassification of how dog theft is treated in the law.
Bill Lambert, Health, Welfare and Breeder Services Executive at The Kennel Club says dog owners are unlikely to fall victim to this crime, but there are steps they can take to help keep their pets safe.
“A dog should never be left unsupervised, whether out and about or at home in the garden and it should have a reliable recall, so that you can always see its whereabouts.
"It is important that all dogs are microchipped, and that their details are kept up to date with their microchip database, and that information about your dog, such as its price or address, isn’t shared with strangers.”
Elaine Hardy’s beloved Labrador Rosie went missing from her garden in in December 2020.
“I let Rosie out in the garden and ten minutes later she was gone.
"We searched for hours late into the night and for days after, but with no luck.
“We are devastated. I worry about Rosie, what is going to happen to her and why they took her, and that no one will look after her the way we would.
"I cry over her being gone every day, and many little things make me think of her.
“The worst part is not knowing, it is horrendous. You can’t help thinking the worst.
"It can be very difficult to stay positive after seven months and the heartbreak, but we have to believe she will come home one day.”