Paws off! Charity issues advice ahead of Dog Theft Awareness Day

Ahead of Dog Theft Awareness Day on Saturday, 14 March, Dogs Trust Manchester is issuing guidance to owners in a bid to say, 'paws off!' and prevent dogs from being separated from their loving families.

Having a beloved dog stolen is a traumatic, heart-breaking experience. For most owners, their four-legged friends are members of the family, and being separated from them, without knowing where they are, is devastating.

Recent data from the National Dog Survey, sponsored by the People's Postcode Lottery, shows that one in three dog owners (33%) is worried about the risk of their dog being stolen1. With nine in 10 (93%) dog owners agreeing that dogs should be treated as members of the family2, the importance of taking steps to protect them from theft is stronger than ever.

Alex Findlow, Public Affairs Manager at Dogs Trust, said, "For many people, dogs are beloved family members, and the theft of a dog can have a significant emotional impact. Thankfully, there are steps that owners can take to reduce the chances of this happening to them. 

"Simple steps such as not leaving your dog unattended in public places and being careful about what details you share online about your dog can help avoid the worst from happening.

"And remember to keep your dog's microchip data up to date. This will be vital to increasing the chances of missing or stolen dogs being reunited with their owners."

Ahead of Dog Theft Awareness Day, Dogs Trust has issued the following advice:

• Ensure your house and property boundaries are secure - keep your dog in and intruders out.
•  Make sure your garden is secure and supervise your dog when they are outside. 
• Do you post pictures of your dog on social media? If so, regularly review your privacy settings and make sure your address can't be identified from your posts.
• When exercising your dog, always keep them in sight and pay attention to what they are doing. If exercising your dog off lead, make sure they have good recall and come back to you when you call them, regardless of where they are. 
• Never leave your dog unattended in a public place - even if it's just for a minute. 
• Likewise, never leave your dog alone in a car. As well as the risk of theft, they can also easily overheat, even on mild days. 
• Make sure your dog is searchable in case the worst should happen. Ensure your dog is wearing a tag with your name, phone number, and address, and that they are microchipped. Let your database provider know if you move house or any of your contact details change and keep your dog's photos up to date and clear, showing any distinctive features.

If the worst happens and a dog is stolen, an owner may feel helpless and unsure where to start looking. Dogs Trust suggests the following:

• Report the theft to the police straight away. Make sure you get a crime reference number and insist that your dog is recorded as stolen and not missing. 
• Report the theft of your dog to your local authority dog warden. 
• Notify your microchip database provider. 
• Ask local rescue centres, animal charities and vet practices to keep an eye out for your dog. 
• Monitor places where thieves may try to sell your dog, such as pet websites and notice boards. Notify the police immediately if you come across anything. 
• Use missing and stolen animal websites such as DogLost, which help to reunite missing pets with their owners by offering free advice and support.

In 2024, new legislation came into effect that made the theft of a dog or a cat a specific offence. Anyone found guilty of stealing a pet in England or Northern Ireland faces up to five years in prison, a fine, or both.

For more information on preventing dog theft and what to do if your dog is stolen, please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/outdoors/dog-theft-advice.