Advice on How You Can Protect Your Cherished Pet
I am increasingly being requested to provide assistance from dog breeders and worried pet owners over the rise in the theft of dogs. This fear is being fuelled over the Internet on social media as concerned owners share incidents and photos of suspects.
There is no doubt that there has been an unprecedented demand for dogs since lockdown last year as families readjust to working from home which means that more families are now in a position to own a pet when they were not before.
Criminal Gangs Involved in a Lucrative Market
Good quality dogs are now in high demand and the price of our canine chums has increased accordingly. Unfortunately, criminal gangs ever on the look out to make a cheap buck are cashing in on this and diversifying from other forms of criminal activity such as drug dealing and vehicle theft.
As well as stealing dogs and puppies to sell criminal gangs are also stealing the breeding bitches in order to intensively breed them.
The appetite for dogs is not just being met by theft here as it is apparent that dogs are being imported into the country from abroad .An ex-colleague from the police traveling over from France recently witnessed numerous van full of dogs in crates being carried in unacceptable conditions
Detective Superintendent, Neil Austin, from the National Police Chiefs' Council recently told Sky News
"With more people working from home, the demand for puppies has increased — as has the cost of purchasing a puppy — which has increased from around £500 to more than £2,000. This has become a lucrative market for organised criminals to exploit” '
Types of Dogs Being Stolen
Whilst an article in Country Living reveals that whilst the older favourite targets for theft such as spaniels and labradors still feature highly. The new fashionable mixed breeds such as labradoodles and such like make it easier for unregistered breeders to cash in.
Research conducted by the BBC reveal that dog theft increased by a staggering 250% in 2020. With hot spots in rural areas as thieves increasingly turn their attention to breeders. The BBC state a quarter of dogs are being stolen from gardens However the Kennel Club have report a bleaker picture stating
• Over 2,000 dogs are stolen each year across the United Kingdom
• Less than 5% of pet theft cases result in a conviction
• Approximately 22% of stolen dogs are reunited with their owner
• During lockdown, dog thefts in the Midlands increased by 65%
• 52% of dogs are stolen from gardens
Preventing Dog Theft
The Kennel club and Country Life also give advice on how to prevent your do being stolen which includes
• Get your dog a GPS tracking collar A GPS tracking collar means you can locate your dog at all times.
• Make sure you dog is microchipped Speak to your vet and ensure that your pet is injected with a microchip and your details are logged an updated with Petlog,
• Don't tie your dog up outside a shop
• Don't leave your dog alone in a car
• Practise recall and/or use extending lead Train your dog to return whenever and wherever they are called, in case they run off during a walk and you can't see them. Until their recall is good enough, use an extending lead when on a walk.
• Avoid routine If you have heard about an increase in dog thefts in your area, it might be a good idea to avoid a routine when walking your dog and use different routes. This is to prevent potential thieves knowing where your dog might be at certain times.
• Walk with a friend Buddy up with a friend and walk your dogs together if you are concerned, for safety in numbers.
• Avoid location tags on social media We all love to share pictures of our dogs on social media but this could alert potential thieves to where you live and your dog's routine.
• If your dog is having puppies. Puppies are more attractive to thieves because they will not be microchipped, have no pet ID and can therefore fetch a higher price when sold on. Be extra vigilant.
• If your dog is a pedigree... You should be particularly careful if your dog is a pedigree as these are most in demand.
• Secure your property Owners should ensure their homes and properties are properly secured. Consider planting raised hedging to make garden areas more private and opt for letting your dog play in the back garden as opposed to the front.
How Can Secure Home Electrics Help
With over 30yrs in the police and through my academic studies I am convinced that visible security measures such as CCTV and alarms or a major factor in dissuading offenders entering your property not least to the fact it shows offenders that you take your security seriously. Recent research indicate that as much as 16% of overall crime is prevented by CCTV and 26% of vehicle crime
Whilst offenders hell bent on entering your property can wear clothing such as hoodies to hide there identity. There is a need to ensure that any invasion of your property is notified to you. The problem is in preventing false alarms which even the best CCTV system is prone to do. The best way to overcome this is to use high tech external sensors.
Thankfully, the excellent products from Ajax, Pyronix and Orisec provide the solution. All of the systems rely upon multiple sensors being activated within the devices in order to trigger an alarm. In addition, anti-sway ensures that only offenders are detected rather than animals, swaying foliage and such like . Mask prevention combats offenders covering up the sensor by spraying it or putting something in front of it.
All of our systems are capable of being linked to your CCTV system and will notify you immediately. In addition, scenarios are capable of being put in to place where other devices such as audible warning devices and lighting are activated.
Call Secure Homes Today for a no obligation survey of your property 01480 891182 or 07970 824371 .
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