Bruce Forsyth s daughter shares relief over new dognapping law set to be introduced birminghammail.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from birminghammail.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
One dog, three-year-old sprocker spaniel Ted, was taken in December while being walked in South London
Police have warned animal lovers against carrying weapons to fight off dognappers as a survey reveals eight in ten owners are growing more fearful of taking their pets for a walk.
Demand for dogs during the Covid-19 crisis has triggered a reported 170 per cent rise in thefts across the country in the past year, with some breeds fetching up to £4,000 each – four times their pre-pandemic price.
A stolen dog can be used to produce litters that earn breeders tens of thousands of pounds. Thieves, including organised gangs, have targeted owners in their homes, gardens or even during walks.
Celebs join Ricky Gervais in calling for change in law to stop spiralling dog theft
Dogs and their owners are coming together this weekend for the world’s largest online ‘DogZoom’ rally to raise awareness about pet theft and will hear from Ricky Gervais, David Walliams, Sara Cox and Clare Balding
Updated
Animal lover Ricky Gervais is supporting the dog theft campaign (Image: PA)
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