10 WAYS TO HELP KEEP YOUR PET SAFE AFTER RISE IN DOG THEFTS IN CARMARTHENSHIRE
Source: South Wales Guardian (Extract)
Posted: February 20 2021
There’s been a huge increase in dog thefts across Carmarthenshire amid a rise in demand for pets.
The charity DogLost (doglost.co.uk) saw reported pet thefts rise from 172 dogs stolen in Britain in 2019, to 465 in 2020, and the increase is thought to be linked to the rise in the cost of puppies as people look for companionship during lockdown.
Pet charity Blue Cross (bluecross.org.uk) notes that 38 per cent of animals reported lost have been stolen, and more than half of them are never found.
These are the Blue Cross’ top tips for keeping your dog safe from dognappers…
- Don’t put your dog’s name on their ID tag
It’s a legal requirement for your dog to wear a collar with an ID tag bearing your name and address on it when it’s in a public place. A mobile number is also a good idea, but avoid putting your dog’s name on the disc, as if a thief knows the dog’s name, they may be able to handle it more easily and call it.
- Don’t leave your dog tied up
Try not to leave your dog tied up outside a shop, or in a car where they can easily be taken – thieves will break into a car to steal a dog.
- Mongrels get stolen too
Just because your dog isn’t a valuable pedigree doesn’t mean it won’t be stolen. Dog thieves know how much owners love their dogs, and will sometimes steal them and claim any reward that’s offered.
- Make sure your pup is microchipped
If your dog is stolen, if it’s microchipped it could make it much easier to trace. It’s the law that dogs in the UK must be microchipped by the age of eight weeks – but don’t forget to keep your contact details on the microchip database up-to-date.
- Get good photos
Make sure you’ve got good photos of your dog, so if they’re stolen you can put the photo on local websites and dog sites in the hope someone’s seen it, and put up posters with the photo on in your area. It’s also worth having lots of photos of yourself with your dog, as you may need to prove it’s yours if it’s found.
- Use different walking routes
Vary the routes you take and the times you take your dog out for a walk. A thief could try to snatch your dog if they know where it’s going to be at a particular time.
- Train your dog to come back
Train your dog to come back when called, so if someone approaches them you’re not sure about, you can call them back. If you know their recall is poor, use an extending lead, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar area where your dog could get lost.
- Be wary about questions
Beware strangers asking questions about your dog. A stranger could be getting information about the dog before attempting to steal it.
- Mend fences
Make sure your garden is secure with no holes in fences, and keep an eye on your pet when it’s outside. Thieves can be opportunistic, and if your dog escapes from your garden or runs off on a walk, they may spot it and take it.
- If the worst happens…
If your dog is lost or stolen, report it to your local council’s dog warden and those in neighbouring local authorities, plus the police. If you know it’s been stolen, make sure the police record it as a theft and not a lost animal, and ask for a crime reference number. Ask other dog walkers to keep an eye out for your dog, and report the theft to the microchip database, so if anyone tries to re-register the chip number, you’ll be told. Also, make sure local vets know your dog has been stolen in case someone takes it in for treatment, and tell local animal shelters and rescue charities.
