![]() ![]() Police believe many of the thefts of animals are the responsibility of organised crime groups This is where many see the deficiencies with the current Theft Act 1968 (“Theft Act”) – which treats pets as a type of property.' It is clear pets are valued as something more than just property. As well as causing trauma to the pet’s owners, many cases of pet theft affect the animal’s welfare.'Īs a result, the taskforce recommended new legislation to deal with the issue: 'Those speaking before the taskforce gave impassioned evidence of the emotional value a pet provides them and their families. The evidence presented to the taskforce has shown the serious impact of this crime on the victims. The authors concluded: 'Whilst these figures might seem low, the emotional impact of having a pet stolen is undeniable, and often pets play a central role in their owners’ lives, especially assistance dogs. There has also been some evidence that as the value of stolen dogs has increased, in some areas this has attracted the interest of Organised Crime Groups (OCGs), who have adapted their criminality in response, taking advantage of the marketplace.' The report warned: 'As demand for dogs has risen, so has their price. Whilst the taskforce has focused on dog theft it has also considered the wider position around all pet theft where possible.'Īcross the UK, 2,000 dogs were stolen during 2020. According to the Metropolitan Police Service, around 7 in 10 of crimes recorded in which animals are stolen involve dogs. The government's taskforce was ordered to uncover any evidence on the extent of the problem and consider how to counter the threat.Īccording to the report: 'Much of the current narrative is around dog theft, due to the higher number of dogs reported stolen compared to other pets. However, the Bill has sadly not progressed for over a year and needs to be urgently brought back or we will miss the opportunity to sufficiently tackle this abhorrent crime.' 'We welcome the proposed measures in the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals Bill) to introduce tougher sentences for those that steal dogs and recognise the emotional impact that this has on their owners. For years, Dogs Trust has called for harsher penalties to deter those who profit from this despicable crime. This has prompted the government to make dognapping a crime in its own right, acknowledging the pain and suffering caused to both the pet and its owners.Ĭlaire Calder, head of public affairs at Dogs Trust said: ' Having your beloved pet stolen is an extremely stressful, often heart-breaking experience. Since lockdown, demand for dogs has increased which has led to pressure on prices and a growth in the interest of Organised Crime Groups seeking to 'take advantage of the marketplace'. Mr Cellan-Jones' dog, Cabbage, was one of six which was stolen from a professional dog walker in west London in November 2021. Victims of this crime in the UK include former BBC Technology correspondent Rory-Cellan Jones as well as the daughter of the late entertainer Bruce Forsyth. Nationally, approximately six dogs a day are stolen with just one in four being reunited with their owners. The figures, which have been collated by the Greater London Assembly, show the significant problem faced by pet owners in the capital with dogs a constant target for professional gangs. Of the 3,921 dogs taken, 478 have been returned, leaving some 3,443 pets missing in the capital. Since January 2010, almost 4,000 dogs have been reported stolen in the Greater London area with police managing to return the pets in one in eight cases.Īcross the capital, the successful return rate ranges between five per cent in Brent and Sutton to 18 per cent in Richmond upon Thames. ![]()
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