Defend Your Dog

Thieves appear to have gone off trendy designer dogs and are instead turning their attention to more traditional breeds.

- Karen Rockett

In the last year, the number of cocker spaniels stolen has almost doubled, while lurchers have trebled and Yorkshire terriers have quadrupled.

Every day, an average of six dogs are stolen in England and Wales, according to research by insurer, Direct Line.

But last year, dog theft fell by 23 per cent – the first fall in six years.

An estimated 600 fewer pets were stolen last year than in 2018, but statistics show that staffies and chihuahuas are the most commonly snatched dogs overall.