Thames Valley region one of the worst in the country for dog thefts
Last year, nearly 70 dogs were reported stolen to Thames Valley Police
Last updated 12th Mar 2025
Thames Valley Police has seen the sixth largest number of dogs reported as stolen in the country, according to a decade long report.
Last year, nearly seventy dogs reported to Oxfordshire, which is a 26% decrease from the year before with 86 in 2023.
“It takes years and years to get over”
French bulldogs are the most likely breed to be taken, according to police figures, as 51 were stolen across the UK last year, an increase of 38% on 2023.
The breed can cost up to £5,000 when bought from a reputable breeder, meaning criminals can secure large sums of money for these animals by selling them on.
Wayne May is an expert helping people find their pets at Stolen and Missing Pet Alliance, he said: “Being a victim of dog theft myself, it takes years and years to get over. That’s what we’re trying to get over to Parliament and the police forces who need to act a bit faster because of the devastating impact to owners.”
He added: “Until we start seeing proof in the pudding, of people being convicted, it won’t go down as quick as we thought. French bulldogs being one of the highest breeds stolen because of monetary value and this is what the criminal gangs are looking at.”
Analysis of Freedom of Information requests to UK police forces by Direct Line Pet Insurance also the overall thefts figure is a 21% fall on 2023.
However, only around one in five dogs (19%) were returned to their owners last year - one of the lowest levels in a decade of tracking.
The Pet Abduction Act came into effect in May last year, making pet theft a criminal offence in England and Northern Ireland, punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.
The reduction in thefts may be an early sign that the new law is having a positive impact, the insurer said.
Over the past 10 years, 23,430 dogs have been reported stolen to police, according to Freedom of Information requests, with 5,005 (21%) being returned.
Overall, dog theft has declined by more than a fifth (22%) in the past decade.
Despite the decline in reported thefts, 61% of owners say they are worried about the possibility of their dog being stolen - with 40% saying they would only ever walk their dog on a lead and 17% using a tracking device.
“Dogs never ever forget their people”
Beverley Cuddy, editor of Dogs Today magazine and patron of Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance, said: "We've seen some amazing re-unifications this year, for dogs that have been gone for many years.
"Dogs never ever forget their people and our video footage of them being reunited proves this. My heart aches for all those still waiting for that phone call that says their missing dog has been found.
"The market for stolen dogs is sadly still here and we have a role to play to continue making it much harder for crooks to monetise our best friends as breeding slaves. It's important to regularly check your dog's microchip data and make sure details are correct - it's something so often forgotten."