Dog theft from homes on the rise: Pet owners urged to protect their pooches
Thieves are marking homes of potential pet theft victims with paint so they can return at a later date and steal valuable dogs for breeding.
That’s the opinion of a leading UK security and CCTV installation company which says that it has had an increase in enquiries to protect homes against this shocking crime.
Dismissed as a hoax in 2013, CCTV.co.uk says it has learned of reports of dog theft where paint marks have been left on gate posts or door frames. Other reports say thieves are photographing houses that they intend to target. The only solution is increased vigilance, the company says.
“As dog owners ourselves, it’s a nasty crime spurred only by financial gain,” says CCTV.co.uk spokesman Jonathan Ratcliffe.
Rumours spread last year – particularly in Northern Ireland – of organised gangs stealing dogs to order after marking the homes of future victims, but were dismissed as an urban myth by the Police and RSPCA inspectors. This follows the arrest of a gang several years ago who were doing the very same thing, supposedly for dog-fighting purposes.
“The ‘dog-fighting bait’ story is clearly ridiculous and there was never any real evidence this was happening,” says Ratcliffe, “But now they’re back for real. This time it’s for breeding, not fighting.”
CCTV.co.uk says that organised groups are identifying likely animals while they are being exercised in parks, following them home and recording the homes for future reference. Animals that appear to be pedigree breeds or pups of high value are often targeted more often.
“The animals are then stolen to order and used to breed puppies that can sell for hundreds of pounds each,” says Ratcliffe. “Puppy farming is cruel enough without it being the result of criminal enterprise. It needs to be stamped out.”
CCTV.co.uk says it’s a distressing crime that separates much-loved pets and show dogs from families carried out by people who have no feeling as to the hurt they are causing.
“It’s all about making money, and pet theft is seen as a relatively easy crime because most homes have relatively low levels of security,” says Jonathan.
CCTV.co.uk says that they’ve been asked to install more security systems from householders and dog breeders concerned about their security, amid reports of growing numbers of thefts.
“People are genuinely concerned about dog theft gangs,” says Ratcliffe. “Whether or not they’re marking the houses of potential victims, the threat is real enough.”
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