How big a problem is dog theft in Wiltshire and Hampshire?
It's Pet Theft Awareness Week
Last updated 18th Mar 2021
It's every owner's worst nightmare their beloved pet is stolen but how likely is it your dog would be targeted in Wiltshire or Hampshire?
DogLost, a UK charity that helps victims of dog theft, recorded a 170% increase in the crime, from 172 dogs reported stolen in 2019 to 465 dogs in 2020.
Wiltshire Police says between December 2019 and December 2002 the force received 26 reports relating to thefts, attempted theft and/or suspicious activity.
Of those eight involved a dog being physically taken..
The force say "although for those eight owners this crime is very distressing, these figures show that fortunately this type of crime is not a major one in our county."
Wiltshire Police has confirmed to Greatest Hits Radio that they have had no reported cases of dog thefts so far this year.
WHAT ABOUT HAMPSHIRE?
Hampshire Police say they know owners are concerned about what they may be reading online or hearing about dog thefts but stress "we are not seeing this reported to us to the extent that is being discussed and suggested."
In 2020 officers received 26 reports of either theft of attempted theft, so far this year there have been five reports of theft and five of attempted theft.
However the force admit "even just one dog theft is one too many."
Hampshire Police stress every incident reported is fully investigated including when an owner feels someone is acting in a suspicious manner.
DEVASTATING IMPACT
One local owner has spoken to Greatest Hits Radio about the devastating moment she realised her dog had been stolen.
Beetle disappeared on August 31st last year from Alvediston in the Chalke Valley after chasing a pheasant.
Victoria Brown and her husband frantically searched for their beloved cavapoo, the next day her collar was found on a nearby road.
Victoria said she felt "physically sick" and in shock.
"We do live in a very rural area so it must have been an opportunist thief driving by."
The family spent many more weeks searching for Beetle along with appeals on social media.
Victoria says not knowing where she is is heartbreaking
"It's not knowing if she's ok, if she's loved. I try and park that and not think of that too much because otherwise it makes it unbearable. I could be thinking the worst and maybe she's in a lovely home which is all I can hope for. "
"I still hope we might her back and that'll she'll be taken to a vet and her microchip scanned."
Anyone with any information regarding Beetle is urged to call Wiltshire Police on 101 quoting crime reference number 54200087507.
You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
TIPS TO KEEP YOUR PET SAFE
There's a plea to make sure you take basic precautions to keep your dog safe that includes ensuring your pet is microchipped and the details are up to date
The not for profit organisation Pet Theft Awareness say the majority of thefts in the UK are from gardens.
It advises not leaving your pet alone in a garden at any stage.