Puppy Farmers And The Rise Of Dog Theft In The UK

The UK's seen a distressing rise of dog theft cases by puppy farmers in recent years. Pet owners across the country have been faced with the alarming reality of losing their beloved four-legged companions to heartless criminals. So what's caused this surge, and what can we do to prevent it?

The Impact of COVID-19 and Lockdown

Since the advent of the pandemic, and the lockdown periods that followed, the UK experienced a significant rise in pet theft incidents. The increase can be attributed to several factors, including the heightened demand for companion animals during these isolating times, leading to limited availability and inflated prices. As a result, criminals saw pet theft as a lucrative business opportunity.

The Rise Of Pet Theft

Earlier this year we crossed paths with UK Pet Detective's Colin Butcher through our mutual friends, Justice For Reggie. Colin shared with us the results of his 5 year investigation into organised crime, dog theft and illegal puppy breeding. He detailed the perfect storm that led to this surge:

• Brexit made it harder to smuggle pregnant bitches and pups into Britain so puppy mills moved to mainland Britain.
• Lockdown meant no dogs could be moved into the UK.
• Average cost of a pup increased from £600 to over £3,000 due to the increased demand.
• Criminals became organised and were quick to exploit the situation by setting up puppy farms across the country.
• Criminals were smart enough to make thefts look like 'runaways' to prevent drawing attention as these are not recorded by authorities.

For more information on UKPD's investigation, check out their video below:

https://youtu.be/_0xMadIVi84

Preventing Dog Theft

Thankfully, there are measures that pet owners can take to reduce the risk of dog theft.

• Ensure that dogs are never left unattended in public spaces can be a crucial step.
• Make sure that private gardens are secure and, if possible, install CCTV on your property.
• Vary walking routines and avoid predictable patterns.
• Use secure leashes and harnesses.

The Role of Microchipping

Microchipping, a legal requirement for all UK pooches, involves implanting a tiny device under the skin of a dog. This contains the owner's contact information. While microchipping itself does not prevent theft, it greatly aids in reuniting stolen dogs with their rightful owners.

It serves as a permanent form of identification that can prove invaluable in recovering stolen pets and holding criminals accountable.

The Pitfalls Of Microchipping

A microchip will not physically prevent a dog from being stolen. Nor does it act as a tracking devise for locating stolen pets.

One gruesome detail that many dog owners aren't aware of is the act of 'flipping', which is mentioned in UKPD's video. This is the act of removing an existing microchip from a stolen dog, and replacing it was a new one that carries fake details.

If these 'flipped' stolen dogs are recovered by the authorities, often miles away from the place they were stolen, they stand little chance of ever being reunited with their distraught owners.

Can A Dog DNA Register Help Combat The Rise Of Dog Theft?

DNA profiling dogs is a promising avenue in the fight against pet theft. Owners can create a genetic profile that's unique to their pet by collecting a DNA sample from their dog.

This profile can then be stored in a database, providing a valuable tool for identifying stolen dogs and linking them back to their rightful owners.

We can deter these organised gangs and provide an extra layer of protection for our furry companions by embracing this technology and encouraging its widespread use.

I spoke with Clare Bankhead, Forensic Account Manager at Cellmark Forensic Services. Ms. Bankhead provided some incredible insights into the world of canine DNA and their relationship with, and services provided to, many UK police agencies.

Their services for dog owners, DNA Protected, offers crime prevention as well as helping the police to ensure a dog’s safe return, should the worst happen. Their products include complete DNA test kits as well as a great range of brightly coloured accessories, branded with 'DNA Protected', the perfect deterrent for would-be thieves!

The UK Government's Steps To Tackle Pet Theft

An animal welfare bill linked to pet theft was dropped by the current government in May of this year. A Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs spokesperson said: “The UK is a world leader on animal welfare. We are committed to delivering the Kept Animals Bill measures individually during the remainder of this Parliament and look forward to progressing these. We will be setting out next steps in due course.” Stay tuned....

Where Does This Leave Us?

Pet owners can significantly reduce the risk of their furry companions falling victim to theft by remaining vigilant, varying routines, and adopting preventive measures.

Microchipping and DNA registering, too, play a vital role in reuniting stolen dogs with their owners and acting as a deterrent to would-be criminals.

If you, or someone you know, is looking to purchase a pet online, be sure to use a website like Preloved that meets Pet Advertising Advisory Group standards, and offers government-grade ID Verification tools. While all of Preloved's pet-rehoming members are ID Checked, look for those with a blue tick next to their Username. These members have the highest level ID checks available online.

Together, we can raise awareness, protect our pets, and combat the menacing rise of dog theft in our communities.