Wiltshire Police using dog DNA swabs to help combat pet thefts
They're just the second force in the country to do so
Last updated 30th Nov 2021
In an effort to help combat dog thefts across the country, Wiltshire Police are taking part in a dog DNA scheme which should make it easier to reunite stolen pets and their owners.
Cellmark Forensic Services launched 'DNA Protected' as a way of creating a database of people's dogs by using their DNA, as microchips can be taken out or changed.
This mean it is more reliable, and should be more effective for tracking.
Wiltshire Police have become just the second force in the country to sign up, following Gloucestershire earlier this year.
Inspector Gill Hughes, said:
“Nationally, there have been much higher levels of dog thefts over the past 18 months, especially as prices for puppies climbed due to soaring demand during the periods of lockdown. Fortunately, Wiltshire and Swindon have not experienced the high levels of dog theft like some counties, but we are ever-mindful of the distress that is caused by the loss of a beloved pet wherever it happens.
“I would encourage dog owners, especially those with high-value pedigree dogs, to consider buying a DNA test kit and registering their dogs on the national register. It will make it harder for thieves to sell your pet and easier for us to return a dog to its rightful owner should it be stolen or even lost."
So far there has been 11 reported thefts of dogs in Wiltshire this year, but they have been on the rise nationally.
In all cases the pets have been reunited with their owners.
David Hartshorne, Managing Director of Cellmark Forensic Services, added:
"We are delighted to be working with Wiltshire Police to help prevent and combat dog theft.
“The Forensic Dog DNA Database gives dog owners access to powerful DNA technology so that if the worst were to happen, it could be used to help the police identify and return a lost or stolen dog to its owner.”
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The company provide kits at £74.99, which are somewhat similar to Lateral Flow test sets.
You swab the inside of your dogs mouth, which provides cheek cells from your pets.
Once this is then transferred onto the kit you are given, it can be registered by Cellmark into a database, which will link you and your pet together.
This means that if a dog is found after being stolen or lost, it's owner can be tracked no matter where the animal has been found.
You can find out more by going to their website.