A GUISELEY vet is advising pet owners on reducing the chances of their animals being stolen.

White Cross Vets welcomed news that pet theft is becoming a new criminal offence, following a surge of dognappings during the pandemic.

The abduction offence is a key recommendation in a report published this month by the government’s Pet Theft Taskforce. The report revealed that approximately 2,000 dog thefts were reported to police in 2020 and that 70 per cent of pet thefts involve dogs. Other recommendations include improving data collection and streamlining England’s 16 pet microchip databases to make it easier to trace stolen pets.

Laura Paterson, group clinical director at White Cross Vets, said: “Unfortunately as the demand for puppies and kittens has sky rocketed, so has their price, with the most sought-after breeds being sold for vast sums of money. Although there have always been pet thefts, the numbers are increasing, and we are continually receiving enquiries from distressed pet owners trying to find lost and stolen pets.

“Pets are beloved and integral family members and it’s very painful for owners when they are stolen or go missing. At the moment, a pet theft is treated as a loss of an owner’s property, so its comparable to having a bike pinched, which isn’t right.

“The pet abduction offence will recognise that pets are far more important than other items of property and will acknowledge the emotional distress that occurs when a pet is stolen. Once introduced, the new law should make it more difficult for thieves to abduct and sell pets as well as making it easier for police to apprehend the criminals and tougher sentences will reflect the impact on both the pet and owner.”

Laura added: “Microchips remain one of the best chances of being reunited with a lost or stolen pet. Laws introduced in April 2016 require all dogs to be microchipped and registered by the age of eight weeks. Hardly a week goes by without somebody bringing us a lost pet cat or dog and the first thing we always do is scan for a microchip. This gives us a unique reference number, which we can use to obtain the owner’s details from a database.

“However, we often find this contains out of date details, because a pet owner has moved home or changed their phone number, without updating the database. It only takes a few minutes to do, and it can make all the difference if the pet goes missing.”

In addition to keeping microchip contact details up to date, White Cross Vets has compiled a list of tips to reduce the chances or a pet being stolen:

• Although a phone number should be on the dog’s collar, most experts advise against putting the dog’s name on it, because it can be easier for a thief to lure the dog away using its name.

• The Police warn about the risks of sharing too much information about pets on social media, which can lead criminals directly to them.

• Have good quality, up to date pics of the pet, as well as any distinctive markings, that you can use to help find them if they go missing.

• Avoid leaving dogs tied up outside shops and don’t leave them alone in cars, which are both easy pickings for thieves.

• Choose dog walkers and pet sitters carefully and check that they have relevant insurance policies in place.

• Nowadays GPS tracking collars are very small and are another effective safeguard if a pet goes missing.

• Work on your dog’s recall skills so it doesn’t roam too far away from you on walks.

• Only leave your dog outside in the garden if it’s secure.

White Cross Vets, which is part of IVC Evidensia, has been caring for pets for 80 years, having started in West Yorkshire in 1937 and now employs a 300 strong team across 21 practices in the UK. Visit www.whitecrossvets.co.uk for more information about white Cross Vets.