Kent: Nearly 150 dog theft reported in a year

Nearly 150 reports of dog theft were made to Kent Police in a year, new figures suggest.

A total of 149 reports were made in 2023/24, according to figures obtained by BBC South East.

The three most common breeds reported stolen included XL bully, labrador and miniature poodle.

Kent Police said officers would do all they could to reunite victims with their animals and identify the perpetrators.

The force said last year they recovered the stolen dogs in around 40% (59) of the cases.

Campaigners hope the introduction of a pet abduction law in August 2024 will act as a deterrent.

Taking a cat, or taking or detaining a dog, became a specific criminal offence.

Under the law, anyone convicted could face a fine or a maximum of five years in prison.

Supporters of the creation of the new offence said it would recognise the emotional impact caused by a pet being stolen and would help build a better picture of the scale of pet theft.

Debbie Matthews, who had two dogs stolen in Surrey in 2006 before they were later recovered, is co-founder of the Stolen And Missing Pets Alliance.

She welcomed the introduction of a specific offence, adding: “We understand that the recording of dog and cat theft is now categorised, which was previously haphazardly recorded, due to pets being merely property, so accurate figures were hard to obtain.

“There’s been more action, sharing on social media and a few stolen dogs found and reunited, which is wonderful to see.”

“The introduction of the pet theft act was a welcome signal that the specific crime of stealing a dog would be recognised in law,” said Ryan O’Meara, a former professional dog trainer.

He told BBC South East: “The impact of stealing someone’s beloved dog has a devastating effect on the victims and is a crime that should be treated with far more seriousness given its growth and the impact it has on its victims.”

Beverley Cuddy, editor of Dogs Today Magazine, said: “The crime is devastating, it’s unlike any other theft you will experience in your life and this hell can go on for years. People want to know what happened to their dogs.

“The criminals see this as a high reward, low risk crime.

“It’s possible to steal a young dog that’s fertile, breed from it, exploit it economically and sell those puppies.”

Campaigners are also calling for vets to check microchip registration at a pet’s first treatment, to reunite missing pets with their owners and check the animal’s microchip contact information is up to date.

A Kent Police spokesperson said: ‘The theft of a pet is not something that Kent Police takes lightly and we understand the devastating impact it has on owners.

‘Our focus will always be on the people and the pets behind the statistics and our priority is to reunite them.

‘We urge all pet owners to take every measure they can to keep their animals safe. This includes micro-chipping, home security like CCTV or security lights and ensuring dogs, for example, are not left outside unattended at any time.”

• If you have been affected by dog theft, email southeastinvestigationsteam@bbc.co.uk