Dognapping fear at an all-time high

New figures from the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner have revealed that people are more worried about dog thefts than ever before.

More than three-quarters of dog owners say they’re more scared of walking their pet because of the heightened risk that it’ll be stolen, according to a major new study. 

124,729 people responded to the landmark online survey with an overwhelming majority saying that dog theft was a “serious problem” and thieves should face stiffer sentences.

The survey, conducted by Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne in partnership with the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, comes amid growing evidence that dogs have become a target for criminals.

DogLost, a UK charity that helps victims of dog theft, recorded a 170% increase in the crime, from 172 dogs reported stolen in 2019 to 465 dogs in 2020.

Key findings from the survey:

• 97% said that dog theft is a serious problem
• 22% have had a dog stolen or knew someone who had over the last year 
• 79% of people, to whom the question was applicable, said they had grown more fearful of taking their dog for a walk during the day
• 83% have grown more fearful of taking their dog for a walk at night

There was also strong support for changing the law to reflect the emotional impact of having a pet stolen. 

At present, dog theft is not defined as a specific crime, with dogs classed as ‘property’ under the Theft Act 1968. 

If caught, the penalty for stealing pets is generally a small fine or suspended sentence, with the Pet Theft Reform campaign reporting that in recent years only 1% of dog theft crimes have led to a prosecution.

According to the survey, 87% said that where pets provide their owner with companionship, sentencing guidelines should reflect this and disagreed that the theft of a pet should be categorised under property theft.

Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said “Police forces across the country need a ‘flag’ for reports of dog theft on their systems as currently it is extremely difficult to track this crime trend and put in place an appropriate police response

“I will be speaking with my Chief Constable about how we can use this data to inform future enforcement and preventative measures that we put in place.”

In Sussex, under the newly introduced dedicated police response to pet theft, Operation Collar, all future reports made to Sussex Police about pet theft will be tagged and tracked.

This fourteen-question survey was conducted online via Survey Monkey and ran for three weeks from 19th February to 12th March. It was advertised across social media through PCC’s channels nationally, via other Government bodies, the mainstream media, Neighbourhood Watch networks and charities such as Dogs Lost also helped in the promotion. The Office of the Sussex PCC collated the results with the APCC.