Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

A missing pets charity said an increase in dog thefts across the UK is linked to the coronavirus pandemic, and warned new owners might accidentally be buying stolen dogs.

Thames Valley Police recorded 306 dog thefts between 2015 and 2018, according to a Freedom of Information request from Direct Line Pet Insurance.

However, figures for 2019 to 2021 were not available.

Five of the puppies currently at the Dog's Trust Merseyside Rehoming Centre waiting for new families, photo by Martin Rickett

Across the UK, 2,077 dogs were reported stolen last year to 35 police forces which responded to the FOI request – though Direct Line Pet Insurance estimate the real figure to be as high as 2,760.

This estimate was up from 2,438 in 2020 and the highest number since their records began in 2015.

Madeline Pike, veterinary nurse for Direct Line Pet Insurance, said: “It’s devastating to see the number of dogs stolen continue to increase across the country.

"Unfortunately, the increase in dog ownership since the pandemic began and the subsequent rise in prices of these animals seems to make the crime even more appealing to thieves."

She said dog owners should take precautions such as keeping their pets on a lead when in busy areas, and avoiding leaving a dog tied up outside a shop, or left inside an empty car.

Dyfed and Powys saw the highest rate of stolen canines last year, with 36 incidents per 100,000 households.

Meanwhile, Surrey had a rate of just two dog thefts per 100,000 households.

In the Thames Valley, the rate was 0.

Along with an increase in thefts across the UK, the proportion of pooches returned to their owners also rose last year, to 22%.

Norfolk Constabulary reunited the greatest proportion of dogs with owners, returning 25 out of 29.

By comparison, none of the 10 dogs taken in Lincolnshire were returned.

The Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance said the demand for dogs during lockdown caused a "huge spike" in them being stolen for breeding, with their value also increasing.

Debbie Matthews, chief executive of the charity, said: "Dogs were also essentially being stolen ‘to order’ for people who were looking for a certain breed, but would never know that they were receiving a stolen dog.

"We would always recommend that a new owner gets the pet’s microchip registration checked as soon as possible."

Direct Line Pet Insurance said French bulldogs were the most stolen breed in 2021, followed by Jack Russells, chihuahuas and pugs.

Hundreds of dogs stolen in Aylesbury's policing area