How do you check if a dog is stolen UK?

Finally, check websites such as DogLost and AnimalSearchUK for any similar images or descriptions that could match your new pet to make sure you're not buying one that's been registered as missing or stolen.

How do you find out if a dog has been stolen?

Check the paperwork

Ask for the paperwork which will give information about the dog's background and check this corresponds with the seller's details. Ask to see the dog's Veterinary records and try to speak to the seller's vet to ensure that everything checks out.

What to do if you suspect a dog is stolen?

If you suspect your pet has been stolen, you should contact the police and report the crime as a theft. Call 101 or report it online. Contact the microchip database your dog is registered with so that they can record your pet as missing.

How can I avoid buying a stolen puppy?

How common is dog theft UK?

According to new research, dog thefts have soared to a seven-year high in the UK, with 2,7600 pooches stolen last year alone. Sadly the number of thefts has risen 16% since 2015, with some of the most commonly targeted breeds including French Bulldogs, Jack Russell Terriers, Chihuahuas and Pugs.

The Gangs That Steal Your Puppies | Crimewave

How do dog thieves mark houses?

Dognappers are using coloured elastic bands as secret markings to target homes with pedigrees inside, animal wardens have warned. The thieves are reportedly tagging the gateposts and wheelie bins of properties where popular breeds are believed to live.

What is the most stolen dog in the UK?

1. Staffordshire Bull Terrier. One of the most popular dog breeds in the UK, 367 Staffordshire Bull Terriers have been stolen in the last year.

Is dog theft still on the rise?

The number of dogs being stolen has reached record levels with thefts rocketing by 25 per cent in the last year. Alarming data from 31 police forces in England and Wales shows that 1,882 dog thefts were reported last year – 25 per cent more than the 1,500 offences recorded in 2020.

Is dog theft on the Rise?

Dog thefts are on the rise as the demand for certain breeds increases. Criminals target the dogs, knowing they can sell them on to make money.

Do Burglars steal dogs?

We know from reading countless police reports on burglaries what intruders steal from your home: cash, jewelry, electronics, guns, and prescription drugs still top the list.

How long before a dog is legally yours UK?

They are breaking the law if they do not register the puppy by the time they are eight weeks old. Breeders should also pass on correct microchip paperwork to the new owner when the puppy goes home. The law applies to dogs and puppies over the age of eight weeks.

Can Rspca tell you who reported you?

This is also known as a Subject Access Request or SAR. This is your right to receive a copy of your personal information held by the RSPCA. Please note that a SAR only allows you to see your own data and not anyone else's, for example, the person who reported you.

Which dogs get stolen the most?

What happens when a dog is stolen?

Call your local police, sheriff, and/or animal control and file a report. Be proactive and persistent. Make a flier with your pet's name, color, markings, and breed. Include the location where your pet was last seen, and a contact or 24-hour phone/message number.

How can I legally get my dog back from my ex UK?

While pet owners will disagree, in the UK pets are considered property from a legal standpoint. If a decision can't be mutually reached on custody of your pet and you don't have proof of ownership in your name, a court could decide on legal ownership and the return of the animal.

What do I do if I lose my dog UK?

How many dogs have been stolen in the UK in 2021?

In 2021, the number of dogs stolen rose by 13 per cent across the UK to 2,760, the highest levels since Direct Line started analysing theft rates in 2015. This means 53 dogs were stolen every week last year, nearly eight every day.

What is the penalty for dog theft in the UK?

A new criminal offence to crack down on dog theft and put people who steal these much loved pets behind bars for up to five years has been set out in the Government's Kept Animals Bill today.

How many dogs go missing each year UK?

How many dogs are stolen in the UK? It's thought that around 2,000 dogs are stolen in the UK every single year. That's 5 dogs that are taken from their owners every day. Of those recorded cases, around 70% of pet thefts involve dogs.

Which dogs are being stolen UK?

The Metropolitan Police recorded a 39 percent increase in pet theft last year, compared to 2020, making it the fastest growing theft offence in the UK. The UK's most targeted dog breeds based on previous crimes are Staffordshire bull terriers, Chihuahuas, Jack Russells, French bulldogs and Labradors.

How do you tell if your house is being cased?

What signs do burglars leave?

Obviously, you'll secure your windows and doors on your property and prime your home's alarm or CCTV security system. But, there are other obvious signs that there's no one in the house: All the lights turned off for days on end. Letters and 'missed delivery' notes sticking out of the letterbox.