Top dog for K9 pet thefts appointed

Chief inspector takes lead

A new top dog has been put in charge of tackling K9 thefts across Devon and Cornwall.

Chief Inspector Rob Curtis will help ensure dogs stay with their owners in after stories about dog thefts have made owners fearful.

He reassuring people that Devon and Cornwall Police take dog theft very seriously. He says: “The theft of a beloved pet causes major distress to the owners, and although dog theft is very rare, we want people to be aware and to take safe precautions to help protect their dogs from this crime”.

Chief Inspector Curtis urges owners to get their pets microchipped, making sure that all contact details are kept up to date in the event of moving home or changing phone number. He added: “Microchipping is not only a legal requirement but is essential in helping to return pets back to their rightful owners. We want to make sure that we can reunite any lost or stolen dogs back with their families as quickly as possible”.

When at home, the police advise that you make sure your garden is secure, your dog is not left unattended outside, being careful of bogus callers or displaying signs that say ‘my poodle lives here’ and ideally install security lighting and CCTV outside your property, or if you cannot afford it, then simply display signs warning that you do. Don’t leave your dog unattended outside shops or in an insecure car, leave them at home instead.

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly said: “Earlier this year 17,452 people from the West of England police force areas responded to an Association of Police and Crime Commissioners’ poll on dog theft. The vast majority supported tougher sentences for thieves and said they lived in fear of their pet being stolen. 
“Pets are not just another possession like a mobile phone or a watch, that’s why I made it a manifesto pledge to tackle pet theft and am delighted by the good work that is going on in the Force and by the Government, to understand this problem and to deal with it through prevention and enforcement.

“Losing a beloved animal to thieves is truly devastating. I want our communities, police officers and our partners to be intolerant of all crime, including pet theft. Together we can ensure these criminals are fearful of being caught, and law-abiding residents need not fear becoming victims.”
There has been an increase in demand for dogs nationwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in inflated prices for puppies and dogs. Nationally, dog theft cases have increased by 170% between 2019 and 2020, but locally the figures are much lower with a 28% increase over the same period.

Across the past year, Devon and Cornwall Police have recorded a total of 77 dog thefts. They now have 30 microchip scanners, some of which have been donated by Dog Lost to help reunite dogs with their families – another step by the Force towards helping tackle dog theft.