More than 2,000 dogs were stolen last year, according to a report by Direct Line Pet Insurance, the equivalent of six per day.
This figure is less than previous years, with dog theft numbers having dropped by 22 per cent year-on-year. And of the 2,160 reported having been taken, only 25 per cent were returned to their owners.
American Bulldogs, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and French Bulldogs are the most frequently stolen breeds, while London had the highest number of reports, with 396 canines stolen, as opposed to next highest Kent, with 177, followed by West Yorkshire with 130.
American Bulldogs were the most stolen breed in 2022, with the number more than quadrupling compared to the year before (up 350 per cent). Staffordshire Bull Terriers and French Bulldogs were also popular targets for dognappers, with the former seeing a 610 per cent increase, while French Bulldogs saw thefts rise by 31 per cent.
There was an alarming spike in the number of German Shepherds taken, from two to 23 last year, a 1,050 per cent increase, while Yorkshire terrier thefts were up 600 per cent, from two to 14.
The decrease in the number of dogs stolen in 202, suggests that changes to post-pandemic working patterns and a tightening of average household incomes may have reduced overall demand for dogs.
The drop in demand is further evidenced by an increase in the number of dogs being re-homed. Between 1 January and 31 October 2022, the Dogs Trust saw a 50 per cent increase in inquiries regarding dog rehoming compared to the same period in 2021.
Beverley Cuddy, editor of Dogs Today magazine, patron of Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance, and Founder of the Bark Angel, said: “Although reported dog theft numbers may be going down to pre-pandemic levels, the reality is that a significant number of cases still go unreported.
“Coupled with the rise in people using dog walkers, multiple dogs could be stolen at one time. Only one crime reference number is assigned when this happens, so we believe the scale of the problem is likely to be much bigger.”
London may have come out on top with the number of dogs stolen, but this was a six per cent decrease on 2021. Leicestershire, though, saw a massive 582 per cent increase on swiped dogs, with 75 taken last year as opposed to just 11 the year before.
West Midlands also saw a 257 per cent hike, but West Yorkshire, Essex and Northumbria police forces all reported drops of around 35 per cent.
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Madeline Pike veterinary nurse for Direct Line Pet Insurance said: “We remain a nation of dog lovers. As more than a third (34 per cent) of UK households own a dog, the opportunity for thieves is high, with six dogs stolen each day in 2022.
“Whilst there has been a decrease in the number of dogs stolen, animal shelters have seen a sharp rise in the number of pets being re-homed. This is likely to be a sign that households are struggling with the cost of living or that they can no longer give their pet the attention they need due to a change in their working patterns.
“Taking precautions such as not leaving your dog tied up outside a shop, in an empty vehicle or keeping it on the lead when in busy areas, will help reduce the likelihood of being targeted by thieves. It’s also vital to make sure your dog is microchipped and that your contact details are up to date. This can help identify your dog if it does go missing and is found.”
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