8 out of 10 dogs stolen in Leeds in 2019 were never returned home

According to figures released in a Freedom of Information request, 171 dogs were stolen across the city last year.

Of that number, only 34 were ever found - just 19.88 per cent.

More than 30 per cent of the dogs were taken from a house or flat and 23 per cent from the garden.

Just over ten per cent were stolen from a public place like a park and six per cent from a public street.

A Dogs Trust spokesperson said: “Sadly our research has shown that unsecured homes and gardens are among the top hotspots for dog thefts across the UK.

"We also found that some of the most common breeds to be stolen in the Yorkshire region are Huskies, Bulldogs, including French Bulldogs, and Pugs.

“Designer’ breeds are often viewed as desirable commodities, instead of the much-loved family members that they are.

"Dogs can be a target for thieves looking to make money from breeding, so as well as keeping their microchip details up to date, spaying or neutering your dog could decrease their desire to wander and will also make them less desirable to thieves looking to breed from them

"If you are worried we have a wealth of advice on our website about dog safety to help you keep your dog ‘safe, spottable and searchable’."

November had the highest recorded number of dog thefts, with 32 being stolen.

The second highest month was in August which had 18 incidents of dog theft.

Staffordshire bull terriers were the breed most targeted by thieves in 2019, with 19 dogs being stolen.

This was followed by ten Chihuahua dogs, nine Jack Russell breeds, Eight Akitas and seven German Shepherds.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "We take all reports of theft seriously and are happy to work with householders and businesses to offer crime prevention advice.

"In particular with dogs, we would encourage their owners to get them microchipped and ideally keep them indoors or in secure premises when home alone.

"Where a dog has not been micro-chipped it can be difficult to trace them and return them to their rightful owner."

Dogs Trust advice to keep pets safe from thieves

- Secure your property and garden. Burglar alarms and security cameras can be a good deterrent and keep all access areas locked and secure.

- Keep your dog in sight and trained to return when called, whilst being exercised outside of the home or garden.

- Never leave dogs tied up outside of shops.

- Having your dog neutered can help prevent them from being stolen as this will make your pet less attractive to dog thieves.

- Know what steps to take if they go missing. Report the theft to the police and notify your microchipping database provider. Sharing your dog’s details on lost dog websites, publicising that they are lost on social media and monitoring websites where they could be sold might help.

- Ensure your dog is wearing a collar and tag and is microchipped with correct details so your dog can be returned if found.

- Visit Dog Trust Facebook page for details of free microchipping events in your area.

For more advice visit the Dogs Trust website.