Ads help us keep this site online
National pet charity, Blue Cross is urging pet owners to be vigilant and ensure their beloved animals aren’t on show to passers-by as new figures reveal twice as many dogs are stolen from inside the home than public spaces, parks and gardens.
The figures, obtained under the freedom of information act, show a total of 1,823 dogs were stolen in 2018 as well as 353 cats. Fashionable ‘flat faced’ dogs, such as French bulldogs and pugs, are being targeted – three times as many French bulldogs were stolen last year than in 2015.
However, the overwhelming majority (84%) of pet owners feel their furry friends are 100% safe when in the home, despite three quarters (75%) saying their pet enjoys sitting in the window, where they are clearly visible to passers-by.
Aston spoke to Diane James from Blue Cross pet charity’s Pet Bereavement Support Service, which helps hundreds of pet owners every year cope with the loss of a pet to discuss the shocking new figures and help pet owners how to best prevent their animals being stolen.