Dog theft is on the rise – here’s how to prevent it happening to you

It’s Gundog Theft Awareness Week from Monday 31st October 2022 to Monday 7th November 2022, which aims to raise awareness of gundog theft and its prevention.

Liam Bell, former chairman of the NGO and Shooting Times contributor says: “The theft of dogs from homes is not a new crime but one that seems to be increasing in all regions of the UK. The effect a theft of a companion animal has is devastating and the loss, for many, can often be the same as losing a family member. ”

Here’s how to prevent gundog theft affecting you.d

Gundog theft prevention

All owners of gundogs should be keenly aware of the risk (and never leave a sought-after breed tied up outside a shop). Gundogs are particularly at risk because thieves know that they are usually pedigree, well-trained and well-socialised. In fact the most commonly stolen gundogs are cocker and springer spaniels and labradors, with owners in the south-east and south-west of England living in particular dog theft hotspots.

Research by Direct Line insurance in 2018 reported five reported dog thefts daily in the UK, a total of 1,931 dog thefts, 27% higher than in 2014. Only 17% of dogs were returned to their owners.

You can lobby your MP to get pet theft reform on the agenda here. The latest government plans for a new criminal offence for pet abduction in the Kept Animals Bill can be read here, although matters appear to have stalled in recent months.

So how can you keep your gundog safe and prevent dog theft?

Here’s some advice from Mike Jackson, rural crime officer for Wiltshire Police. Using his experience he explains how owners can deter potential thieves and keep their dogs secure.

How to avoid dog theft by Mike Jackson

There are usually two ways in gundog theft occurs: “opportunistic”, where someone might see a dog, steal it and sell it in the pub or blackmail the owner for money; and “professional”, where the theft is planned. The latter tends to be true for gundogs, especially those that are well known in the gundog world so are likely to produce good-quality puppies, which in turn generates further income for the offender.

Antis have been known to steal dogs

Antis

It is also not unusual for working dogs to be stolen by those who may be opposed to hunting sports as a whole, so seek to remove the dog from the environment to prevent its use.

Untraceable

Stolen gundogs can end up on puppy farms but can also be sold on as valuable commodities in themselves. They can be stolen to order and even shipped abroad to prevent them from being traced. It is every gundog owner’s duty to ensure their dogs are as protected as much as possible.

Build your kennels as close to your home as possible

Keeping your dogs safe from thieves

There are many steps that you can take to improve the safety of your dogs, both at home and while attending shoots or gundog trials. The reason many gundog thefts occur is because the dogs are typically kept in kennels outside the house, 
or in vehicles left unlocked or with tailgates or windows left open — an easy target for thieves.

It is important to think like a criminal. Look at your property as if you are trying to steal your dogs. How would you do it and how could you be stopped? Be sure to test your security arrangements regularly to ensure they work.

Losing a dog is like losing a member of your family

To maximise security you could:

• Build your kennels as close to your house as possible and try to disguise your ownership. This not only means making the kennels less visible, but also not boasting about your well-trained gundogs — word travels fast.
• Use of adequate security lighting, ideally placed where it cannot be tampered with.
• Consider using alarmed 
padlocks or passive infrared sensors that send text messages to your mobile phone when tampered with.
• Install remote access CCTV, which allows you to regularly check on your dogs from your mobile phone.
• Consider the use of tinted windows on your vehicle — 
these help to obscure the view into the rear of your vehicle.
• Dog transit crates secured 
with alarmed padlocks could 
be considered when out working your dog, if other dogs have been left in your vehicle.
• Don’t always take the same route to your dog-walking location, shoot or working dog club and events in case you are followed. Be aware of vehicles that may 
be following you.
• All dogs must now, by law, be microchipped, so ensure your details are up to date. Take photos of your dogs from several angles and keep them with your dogs’ documents. These can then be circulated quickly in the event 
of theft and passed to the police.
• The use of social media is great to spread the word if your dog is stolen, making them “too hot to handle”, but be aware of hoaxers claiming to know where your dog is if you provide money. Always speak to the police for them to follow up potential enquiries.
• Speak to your local crime prevention officer or rural crime officer about ways to improve 
the security at your property.
• Remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity either via 
101 or 999 in an emergency.