Our alarming new study has revealed that London is the most likely area for dog theft in the UK, after Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to police forces shed light on the widespread issue.
We sent FOI requests to the 45 police forces across the UK, asking them for the number of dogs that were reported as stolen in their constituencies over the last five years. In this blog, we’ve explored the top 30 worst areas for dog theft, the laws around it and advice to help keep your dog safe.
What are the UK dog theft hotspots?
There were almost 10,000 reported dog thefts in the UK in the last five years (2019-2023). Below, we’ve detailed the worst areas for dog theft, from most to least prolific. Read on to find out more.
1. London
London is the worst place in the UK for dog thefts. 1,842 dog thefts were reported to the Metropolitan Police Service in London, where an average of 368 thefts are recorded each year.
2. Lancashire
In second place is Lancashire, where 737 dogs have been reported stolen to the police since 2019.
3. West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a close third, with 727 dogs stolen in the last five years.
4. Kent
Kent ranks as fourth, with 588 dogs stolen since 2019.
5. South Yorkshire
Putting Yorkshire in the top five worst places for a second time, South Yorkshire has had 534 thefts since 2019.
6. Northumbria
Northumbria Police revealed that 462 dogs were stolen in the last five years.
7. Leicestershire
Leicestershire has seen 430 dog thefts since 2019.
8. Essex
407 dogs were reported stolen in Essex.
9. Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire Police shared that 398 dogs were reported stolen.
10. West Midlands
The tenth worst place for dog theft is the West Midlands, with 289 dogs stolen.
11. Derbyshire
Derbyshire reported 288 dogs as stolen.
12. Devon & Cornwall
In the past five years, there have been 265 dogs stolen in Devon and Cornwall.
13. Cleveland
Cleveland Police shared that 243 dogs were stolen here.
14. Sussex
There were 223 dogs stolen in Sussex.
15. Gwent
This Welsh county has had 217 dogs stolen since 2019.
16. Merseyside
Merseyside has seen 210 dog thefts in the last five years.
17. Durham
204 dogs were stolen in Durham.
18. Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire had 191 dogs stolen.
19. Cheshire
Cheshire Constabulary shared that there have been 158 dog thefts.
20. Cambridgeshire
Cambridge rounds off the top 20, with 146 reported dog thefts.
21. Norfolk
Norfolk had 144 dog thefts.
22. Dorset
126 dog thefts were reported in Dorset.
23. North Yorkshire
There have been 123 dogs reported stolen in North Yorkshire.
24. Cumbria
In the last five years, there were 116 dog thefts in Cumbria.
25. Bedfordshire
There were 112 reported dog thefts in Bedfordshire.
26. Warwickshire
Warwickshire Police shared that there were 105 dog thefts since 2019.
27. Northamptonshire
103 dogs were stolen in Northamptonshire.
28. Avon and Somerset
There were 86 dog thefts in Avon and Somerset.
29. Gloucestershire and Suffolk
In joint 29th place are Gloucestershire and Suffolk, with 82 dogs reported stolen.
30. Humberside
Humberside is last on the list with 78 dog thefts.
The UK counties least affected by dog theft according to the 35 police forces that responded to the FOI request, are South Wales where 68 dogs were reported stolen to the police since 2019, Thames Valley (65), Lincolnshire (61) and Surrey (44).
Of the 45 police forces, 35 responded and seven declined to disclose the data requested by the FOIs, this is Greater Manchester, Hampshire, Staffordshire, West Mercia, Wiltshire, North Wales and Police Scotland.
Is Dog Theft a Crime?
To combat the rise in the number of dogs stolen over the past few years, new proposals were passed by the government in January to make pet abduction a criminal offence in England and Northern Ireland, and if made official could see thieves sent to prison.
Currently dogs are lawfully considered property, covered by the 1968 Theft Act. However, there has been a push for dogs to be recognised as valued living possessions, rather than the inanimate objects that are also covered by this law.
How to Avoid Dog Theft
An estimated 34% of UK households have a dog. To prevent owners from suffering the pain of having their pet stolen, our managing director, Anthony Neary has provided six essential pieces of advice.
1. Secure your property
Security lights can provide a deterrent for any burglar as the homeowner will be alerted to activity around their property. An intruder is much more likely to target a house in darkness because they can comfortably get away unnoticed or unidentified. Browse our range of options: Security Lights
You can take these precautions even further with CCTV or a video doorbell. This will give you a chance to act should you spot any unusual activity outside your property. If the worst happens and your dog is stolen, this will also allow you to gain footage that may help the police.
2. Hire sitters or walkers
The main reason to have a sitter is to ensure a dog is comfortable and has companionship if the owner is out for long periods. However, this can also make a home more secure. The presence of a person in a property could put off an opportunist and cause them to look elsewhere. A dog walker also provides this security as someone will be seen around the property.
3. Garden boundaries
Ensure your garden is secure to prevent a dog from escaping or being stolen. High fences are best and ensure gates or outdoor kennels are fitted with British Standard locks or padlocks to add those extra layers of security. Also consider that stickers which say ‘beware of the dog’ may have the opposite effect and make thieves think there is an easy opportunity to take one that is kept outside. Browse our range of solutions: Locks
4. Avoid routine
Walking the same route at the same time of day can make you a potential target for dog thieves, as they could predict where you will be and when. We would recommend following different routes each time you walk your dog, and even taking a friend with you so you aren’t alone. If you are on a walk alone, it is often best to avoid rural areas.
5. Don’t share your location
Although you’ll go on plenty of walks with your dog, never share on social media where you are. This can tell thieves where you like to walk your dog, giving them an opportunity to prowl these locations. Find out more about the implications of online posting: Protect Your Home While You Travel: The Dangers of Social Media Posts
6. Keep documentation
You never know when you might need to prove ownership of your pet. Keep all your documents such as your dog’s contract of sale, health certificates and proof of insurance. As these can be crucially important, we would suggest storing these in a secure environment like a safe. Fireproof safes are a strong solution as they can protect your documents from the most extreme environments. Learn more about our solutions: Fireproof Safes
7. Pay attention to your dog
Work on your dog’s recall from when they’re a puppy to get them under control and used to coming back. You should never let your dog off lead if you’re unsure whether they’ll return to you when you beckon them. Keep an eye on who comes near your dog, even if you have your pet on a lead.
8. Always microchip
Microchipping is compulsory for dogs in the UK, making them identifiable no matter where they are. Alongside this, it is a good idea to get a GPS collar. Although these can be removed, it is unlikely that thieves will take off the collar right away, allowing you to track their movements. It is also important to never put your dog’s name on their collar, as it can make it easier for thieves to call your pet towards them.
9. Reduce your dog’s value
Of course, your dog is incredibly valued to you. However, you can decrease their appeal to thieves with several measures. Neutering your dog means that they cannot be used for breeding purposes, a deterrent for thieves who would sell dogs to puppy farmers. Some owners even advertise this on their dog’s collar or harness. Another idea is to take regular photos of your dog. This means that if your dog is stolen, you have recent photographs of them to help in an investigation. Once circulated, this can make your pet ‘too hot to handle’ as a well-known dog can be hard to sell.
10. Lock your dog crate
You may use a crate to keep your dog in when travelling in the car, or in the house on a night. You can bring in an extra precaution by locking your dog crate when your pet is inside to prevent it being taken. We’d suggest using a strong heavy-duty padlock to resist the wear and tear of frequent use. Find out more: Padlocks
Having your pet taken is a traumatic experience – it is extremely upsetting not knowing where your dog is or what has happened to them. This is why it’s vital that you take extra care, especially in areas where dog theft is more common. For more information on the security measures you can put in place, view our blogs: SafeZone Security News
Sources
Safe placed FOIs with the 45 territorial police forces in the UK on January 3rd, 2024, to ask for the number of dog thefts in the previous five years (2019-2023), which 35 provided. The following police forces declined to provide the numbers: Greater Manchester Police, Hampshire Constabulary, Staffordshire Police, West Mercia Police, Wiltshire Police, North Wales Police, Police Scotland. The following have not responded to the January 31st, 2024, deadline: City of London Police, Dyfed-Powys Police, Police Service of Northern Ireland.
