Dan Allen, Founder of Pet Theft Reform, Talks Pet Theft Awareness
According to a new report conducted by The Direct Line Group, 1,808 dogs were stolen in 2024, that is the equivalent of 5 dogs a day. With pet theft still a major concern among pet owners, we want to help provide as much information and advice as possible.
We caught up with Dan Allen, who is the founder of Pet Theft Reform, and an Animal Geographer at Keele University, to share his knowledge around this concerning subject.
Dan has very kindly taken the time to answer some commonly asked questions surrounding dog theft, helping owners to stay vigilant and put preventions in place.
What is the most common breed that is stolen?
Unfortunately, all dogs are at risk of being stolen. Popular breeds at any time may be at a slightly higher risk, such as French Bulldogs, but also breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers are commonly stolen due to the sheer number of them.
How are pets being stolen?
Frighteningly, over 50% are taken from homes and gardens, so it is very important to make sure your property is secure and always keep an eye on them when they are out in the garden.
What is the success rate of people being reunited with their pets?
Statistics vary, but we believe that only around 25 % of stolen pets get reunited with their owner, which is heartbreaking.
How are pets being reunited with their owners?
Microchipping is very important. Also, posters can be very useful, not just to get information out to other dog owners, but to make your dog too hot to handle. It is incredibly important to ensure that your microchip information is up to date. If your dog is found, it should be scanned and if your details are up to date on the register, your dog will be returned to you.
Are you aware of any methods that have shown a massive difference to preventing dog theft?
It’s important to remember your dog’s microchip is not a deterrent, it is used to reunite your dog. The best way to protect your dog is to ensure that your garden is secure and that you keep a close eye on them when they are out and about. Using technology can help, such as cameras. Trackers can help if the dog is stolen until it is removed and of course they are very useful if your dog is lost.
How can you mitigate the risk of someone planning to steal your pet?
It is good to mix up your routine a bit, don't do the same walk every day and consider how you use social media - be careful what you post showing your dog and your location. Also ensure that your dog has good recall if you run your dog off lead - and report to the police if you have any suspicions.
Are pets stolen purely for breeding purposes?
There is no evidence to back this up. Dogs are not only stolen for breeding, but they are also often just sold on to new unsuspecting owners. Also ransoms and rewards are becoming much more common as a reason for stealing a dog.
What are the most common reasons for pet theft?
It’s all about money, dog theft is a low-risk high reward crime. And now scammers are becoming more common, where they claim to have your dog and demand a ransom or a reward. Police are starting to take this far more seriously.
Thank you so much to Dan for taking the time to answer these questions, providing some important facts surrounding pet theft.
We have lots more information on our advice page, which you can find here.