Advice issued to mark the start of Gundog...
Sunday 31st October marked the start of Gundog Theft Awareness Week 2021. Popular working breeds...
about this blogRead moreGundog Theft Awareness Week, which runs from Monday 31st October 2022 to Monday 7th November 2022, aims to raise awareness of gundog theft and its prevention.
Dog theft, especially of working dogs, continues to be a huge problem in rural areas. With the increase in popularity of fieldsports comes the increase in demand for trained dogs and thieves see valuable gun dogs as a saleable commodity.
DogLost has previously stated that almost 50% of its missing dog reports actually relate to working dogs. The most commonly stolen gundogs are cocker and springer spaniels and labradors.
What can you do to protect your dog?
When you are out and about
Review your security at home
If you're having a litter of puppies
If your dog is stolen
What is the Countryside Alliance doing?
Pet theft is driven by organised crime and is seen as a low-risk, high-reward offence. In recent years only one per cent of dog theft crimes have led to a prosecution. Under the Theft Act 1968, pets are classed as property, making a stolen Labrador equal to a stolen laptop.
The Countryside Alliance has worked with organisations such as PetTheft UK, campaigning for a change in the law to make pet theft a specific offence, giving courts access to appropriate custodial sentences to act as a deterrent, provide punishment and protect the public.
In September 2021, it was announced that under new government plans aiming to crack down on the increasing number of reported pet thefts, a new criminal offence for pet abduction would be introduced. This new offence comes as a recommendation from the Government's Pet Theft Taskforce which launched in May 2021.
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Sunday 31st October marked the start of Gundog Theft Awareness Week 2021. Popular working breeds...
about this blogRead more50% of stolen dogs are working gundog breeds and Saturday 31st October marks the start of Gundog...
about this blogRead moreNottinghamshire Police have reportedly become the first force to appoint a dedicated officer to...
about this blogRead moreWe are the most effective campaigning organisation in the countryside.