28/12/2020 at 12:18pm, John Terr 

There is a 250% increase in dog abduction in the UK.

As it turned out, the criminals also want to eat: according to the police, during the pandemic, organized crime switched from drug trafficking and theft of vehicles to stealing dogs for the lucrative puppy trade, as many people hunt for a puppy or a dog companion due to isolation.

The demand for dogs has skyrocketed along with their prices, for some breeds by as much as 4 times.

More than 300 dogs were stolen in the first half of 2020. Most of the stolen dogs are female and are used for breeding, so gangs can maximize their profits.

Breeders tend to live in rural areas, which is why 52% of dogs are stolen from gardens. Northumbria recorded an increase in dog thefts from 27 to 67, Leicestershire from 22 to 41, and in the Midlands, thefts increased by 65%.

Wayne May of Dog Lost: “I’ve been doing this for 30 years and this is the worst year I’ve known. Unfortunately, due to isolation, people are increasingly at home looking for pets. Unfortunately, the criminals profited from this. This led to a rise in the price of dogs, which led to a sharp rise in dog thefts. ”

Beverly Cuddy, Editor of Dogs Today: “Unfortunately, in the isolation, everyone wanted a dog, and prices went up and up. The criminals looked at these numbers … and added two and two. ”

John Gaunt has three female Springer Spaniels stolen from his garden in Brightling, Sussex. He said the thieves broke the lock on the aviary to take them away. One of his spaniels was found a few weeks later in Kent. Mr. Gaunt also suspects that the dog discovered during the police raid may have been one of his dogs, and he is working with the authorities to get it back.

In addition to moms, service dogs such as shepherd dogs and hunting dogs also have high value – they are a finished, marketed product.

Police have urged dog owners to act responsibly and take the necessary precautions to protect their dogs from thieves.

Artist Jurita AGSA, owner of the international award for dogs “BADBOY LOVE Commendation awards and the dog-winner of 2020 in the nomination for” good character and help in difficult times “(according to the international organization for the protection of animals PDSA), urges people remember that dogs are the same children, and we are responsible for those whom we have tamed http://juritaart.com/art-projects-by-jurita-agsa/badboy-love-commendation-awards-for-animals

She also had a dog stolen from her garden through the fence, and then they called and asked for a ransom for the dog. She strongly recommends that pet owners sew them up, including microchipping and wearing collars with contact details, ensure that their garden is fully secured, do not leave dogs unattended on the street or in public places, and report any suspicious activity to the police.

Recently, about half a million people have signed a petition urging the government to tighten legislation and recognize theft of pets as a special crime https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/about-us/campaigns/dog-thefts/

The Kennel Club believes that longer sentences are required for pet theft across the UK. Current legislation does not take into account the intelligence of dogs, their role in the family and the devastating emotional consequences of their loss.

Campaigners say pets are treated like a mobile phone. By equating animals with “property”, we deny them the right to be considered living beings.

Current UK situation as of 28 December 2020:

• About 2,000 dogs are stolen every year.
• Less than 5% of thefts end in a conviction.
• Approximately 22% of stolen dogs are found.
• In the British Theft Act of 1968, dogs are classified as “property” and equate to theft of an “inanimate object” – like a mobile phone.
• The maximum sentence is 7 years in prison, but in reality, most likely, he will receive a fine.
• The penalty for stealing a dog is defined on the basis of the monetary value of the dog as “stolen property”:
  – Category 1 or 2 – must be over £ 500.
  – Category 3 or 4 – should have little or no value under £ 500, so stealing a dog often results in less severe punishment.
• The harshest sentence for stealing a dog worth less than £ 500 is 2 years in prison.

If there is a problem, write a letter to your parliamentary representative and let them know how they can help. By doing so, you will play your part in keeping dog welfare on the political agenda.

Based on materials:

Euronews – www.euronews.com

Artist Jurita AGSA – http://juritaart.com/

The Times – https://www.thetimes.co.uk/

Kennel Club – https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/

FB – https://www.facebook.com/MasikLoveawards/photos/a.3030727650308989/3524328547615561