Suffolk Constabulary is warning pet owners to take extra care after seeing a number of dog thefts this year.
Sergeant Brian Calver said: "Organised crime groups are actively targeting addresses, with working breeds tending to be those that are favoured by criminals.
"The loss of any pet can be devastating to owners, with the added trauma of not knowing what sort of conditions the dog is being subjected to. We would advise dog owners to review security of any outdoor kennels.”
There have been 12 confirmed cases where dogs have been stolen within the county this year, and Sgt Calver said all bar one of the incidents involved the theft of dogs that would be classed as working gun breeds.
Security measures to prevent thefts include good quality locks and lighting, while consideration should be given to CCTV and sensors as these offer an early alert to the presence of intruders.
Gardens should be well secured with fencing or hedges, while gates should be kept locked.
Owners are advised not to leave dogs out in open gardens and yards when they are not at home and, if possible, they should be brought into the house overnight.
Ensure your dog is chipped and, if neutered, mark the dog’s tag as such as this makes them less attractive to thieves that may want to steal them for breeding. When out walking, if you let your dog off the lead, don’t allow it to leave your sight.
Sgt Calver also advised dog owners to ensure they were not giving away personal details online.
He said: "Consider your security on social media and avoid giving away details that may highlight your address and the fact you have a dog which could be attractive to thieves.
"We would encourage you to be vigilant of suspicious persons seen around addresses, or any cold callers. Please report such activity, with descriptions of the individuals and their vehicles, as well as sharing those concerns on local watch groups.”
Sgt Calver also urged owners of other pets to be wary of thieves, saying birds had been stolen too.
Anybody with any information regarding the theft of dogs or other pets is encouraged to contact Suffolk police via:
Website: http://www.suffolk.police.uk/contact…/existing-report-update
Crimestoppers – Contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Phone – call 101
Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999.
General crime prevention advice can be found by visiting www.suffolk.police.uk/advice/crime-prevention-z
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