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)
Get the latest news from across Ireland straight to your inbox every single dayInvalid EmailSomething went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up!
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Your information will be used in accordance with ourPrivacy Notice.
The elections for the role are due to take place in May. Liz Webster says she can bring a sober and serious perspective to the discussion of policing and crime prevention , after crime thrust itself into her life. In 2007, Liz s son Henry suffered brain-damage after being attacked by a gang with a hammer at The Ridgeway School in Wroughton, near Swindon. Liz said: Fighting for his life in hospital I begged and hoped for my son’s survival but I couldn’t help but wonder why such an event was ever allowed to unfold in the first place. Who had failed? Was it the School, Police or the Politicians? Finally, after three and half years, my persistence led to an independent inquiry publishing the many systemic failures so that lessons could finally be learnt.
I will be a voice for the victim - Lib Dem candidate for Police Commissioner wiltshiretimes.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wiltshiretimes.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.