Miniature dachshund stolen in West Yorkshire say wildlife police

Last month, West Yorkshire Police has vowed to update members of the public about every incident of dog theft in the region.

It comes amid growing concerns about the number of stolen dogs across the country.

In their latest update posted today (Monday), the wildlife and rural crime team posted that a miniature dachshund had been reported as stolen.

The crime reference number is 13210282313

More than 70 per cent of stolen dogs in Leeds are never found, according to the latest police figures.

Data obtained from a Freedom of Information request to West Yorkshire Police (WYP) showed that 60 dogs were recorded as stolen from the city between January 2020 and May 2021.

Of those stolen, just 17 dogs were found, with 71.7 per cent of dogs not recovered.

This means a total of 43 dogs were not found by the police.

The full post from the wildlife and rural crime team read: "In the last 24 hours there have been 19 incidents involving animals across the force area and 1 theft of dog

"13210282313 Theft of miniature dachshund

"4 x loose farm animal

"8 x dog related incidents

"4 x other

"3 x horse related incidents

"As always there may have been things that have been reported direct to local wildlife officers that may not be included on this report."

Animal welfare charity, Dogs Trust, has expressed concerns that the demand for puppies during the last year in lockdown has led to a rise in dog thefts.

It added that that current sentencing does “very little” to deter thieves.

A spokesperson for Dogs Trust, said: “Given the high demand for dogs in the last year and the increase in prices, it is no wonder dog theft is on the increase.

“Many dogs are taken from homes and gardens every year so we would urge all dog owners to make sure their gardens are secure along with their homes and ideally never leave your dog alone in the garden.

“We would also advise that owners should never leave their dog unattended when out and about, always keep them in sight and also make sure they are trained to come back to you, however distracted they might be.

“All dogs must now be microchipped. Having your dog microchipped, and keeping your contact details up to date, gives owners the best chance of having their dog returned to them if the worst happens.

“Current sentencing does very little to deter thieves and does not take into consideration how devastating it can be to have your dog taken from you.

“Punishment for dog theft is determined by the monetary value of the dog, meaning perpetrators are often given fines which do not reflect the emotional impact of dog theft on the families involved.

“We fully support any action to introduce tougher sentences that will act as a deterrent for those committing these crimes. At the very least, a community order or custodial sentence being given, rather than a fine."

Jennifer White, the Senior Media Officer for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) added that thieves know that purebred and designer dogs sell for high sums and that they “don't give a damn” about the emotional bonds between pooches and their guardians.

She said that as "dognapping is an alarming, growing epidemic", it is imperative to contact the police as well as local animal shelters and veterinarians immediately if a dog is stolen - along putting up posters and involving the media.

Jennifer said: "Nearly every week, reports of the kidnapping of dogs – from back gardens, from their homes, or even while they’re out for a walk – hit the headlines. “Dognapping” is an alarming, growing epidemic.

"Thieves know that “purebred” and “designer” dogs sell for high sums, and they don’t give a damn about the emotional bonds between the animals and their guardians.

"To help keep animals safe, it’s vital that everyone microchip their animal companions, keep that information up to date, and maintain a watchful eye on their animals, acting swiftly if one goes missing.

"If the worst happens, it’s imperative to contact the police as well as local animal shelters and veterinarians immediately, put up posters, and even get the media involved.

"Those who pay for puppies from breeders or online – rather than looking to legitimate rescue groups and animal shelters – contribute to problems like theft and fuel the greedy pet trade, denying animals in shelters the chance to find love and security.

"By adopting, you can save a homeless animal’s life – and help take price tags off other dogs’ heads."

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