We’re chatting to Beverley Cuddy, editor of Dogs Today Magazine, Patron of the Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance and Founder of Bark Angel, and Wayne May, Pet Detective & Police Liaison for Doglost and the Stolen and Missing Pet Alliance. While dog theft remains a significant issue - 1,808 dogs were stolen in 2024 - the implementation of the Pet Abduction Act in May 2024 has clearly played a positive impact, resulting in a 21% decrease in thefts. Despite this reduction three fifths of dogs owners are still concerned their dog could be stolen!

The Act made pet abduction a criminal offense in England and Northern Ireland. While some progress is being made with the number of thefts falling to 1,808 in the last year - down on 2021's record high of 2,760 stolen dogs - fewer than a fifth (19%) of stolen dogs were reunited with their owners in 2024 when French Bulldogs were the most frequently stolen breed, while Rottweilers saw the highest year-on-year increase in thefts (up 180% from five to 14) with thefts of Border Collies rising by 160% (from five to 13) and of Chihuahuas nearly doubling (up 160% from 14 to 26).

This further highlights the continued risks pet owners and their furry friends face, although XL Bully thefts dropped by 49%, coinciding with the breed ban in England and Wales. Since the Dog Theft report began in 2014, 23,430 dogs have been stolen with 5,005 (approximately 21%) successfully returned to their owners and the most thefts taking place in London.

Three-fifths (61%) of dog owners are concerned about their pet being stolen, with a third feeling “extremely” or “very” worried so, to mitigate the risk, 49% of dog owners never leave their pets unattended outside shops or schools, while 44% avoid leaving them in cars with one in six (17%) using tracking devices, 22% installing motion security cameras or a fifth opting for professional dog-sitting services when away.

For more informtation about the Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance click here or here for Doglost.

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