How do dogs get stolen?

Demand for certain dog breeds has led to a rise in dog theft in recent years.

Dogs can be stolen anytime they are left unattended, such as from your garden or outside a shop.

If your dog is untrained and doesn’t know how to return to you when called, it can also make it easier for thieves to lure them away.

Social media may also play a big part in dogs getting stolen, especially when owners tend to post a lot of pictures of their pooch and share personal details and information about them online.

When leaving your dog with someone, always make sure the sitter is someone you trust, or if you take your dog to a day care facility, check to ensure it is licensed and registered. 

How to stop your dog getting stolen

Train your pup

Train your dog to respond to your voice so that they will come back as soon as you call for them. Always make sure they are on their lead at all other times and keep them close to you in areas that are unfamiliar to them.

Get your dog microchipped

Microchipping your dog can help to reunite you with them if they get lost or stolen. The microchip contains a unique number that can be read by a special scanner, usually available at your local veterinary clinic, dog rescue centre, or dog warden. This number can be looked up on a central database and will provide them with the owner’s contact details.

Get them a personalised collar

Get your dog a collar with an ID tag with your name, address and possibly even your mobile number that they always wear. You can also put down on the tag that your dog has been microchipped, as this may help deter any potential thieves. Refrain from putting your dog’s name on any collars or ID tags, though, as personal details can help thieves to lure your pup in.

Take pictures

Be sure to keep recent photographs of your dog that capture any distinctive features they may have. This will help identify them quickly if they do ever get lost or stolen. However, you should avoid posting these kinds of photographs on social media, as well as any personal information about your dog.

Be mindful of dog-sitters

Be highly selective when choosing someone to look after your dog while you are away. Choose a family member or friend you trust, use a reputable licensed dog-sitting company, or consider taking your pup to a kennel to be looked after until you come home.

How to report a stolen dog

If you suspect your dog has been stolen, report it to the police immediately. When you do so, be sure to provide as many descriptive and distinctive details about your pooch as possible, and tell them if they are microchipped, as this may help the police find them sooner.

You can also get in touch with your local council to make them aware of the theft, as many of them have dog warden services that can help look out for and take care of stray and stolen dogs.

Having a pet go missing or stolen is incredibly upsetting and can involve costly recovery fees. However, some pet insurance policies can help cover some of the costs that are involved with a loss or theft. Take a look at the dog insurance policies available for you here at Asda Money.