Dog owners across the West Midlands were today warned to be extra vigilant as thieves increasingly target pets for use in dog fighting.
Bull Terriers are the favoured breed of criminals who steal dogs from gardens or rob them from their owners as they are taken for a walk. West Midlands Police has identified an increasing trend for dog theft so has teamed up with the Kennel Club to combat the problem. Anyone with information about the thefts is urged to contact officers in confidence.
PC Angela Hodgetts said: “We do not want to raise fear amongst breeders and owners, but we do want them to be made aware of the problem and take appropriate precautions.”
Officers have issued a list of precautions for pet owners to keep their dogs safe.
Rear gardens should have a secure perimeter and fences should be at least 1.8 metres high ideally with trellis on top as it cracks under weight and attracts attention.
Anti climb paint should be applied to the top of the trellis with appropriate warning signs.
Dog owners should use two bolts on their garden gates which should be secured with locked padlocks.
The Kennel Club has also issued advice to owners.
Secretary Caroline Kisko said: “We are very pleased that West Midlands Police has come forward to take such a proactive stance on the issue of dog theft and would urge all owners and, especially those who own a Bull Terrier or Stafford, to be extra vigilant and leave nothing to chance.
“Ensure that your dog is microchipped, that the details are registered with Petlog (www.petlog.org.uk) and report all suspicious incidents to the police straightaway.”
She said breeders should be extra vigilant when allowing potential customers in to their homes or kennels to view puppies.
They should always obtain full contact details such as name, address and landline number and then call the customer a few days prior to the visit to confirm the appointment and check the landline. The seller should also make a note of the registration number and type of vehicle they use and if possible ask them to bring identification along with them.
By Daniel Pountney
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