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BEWARE! DOG THEFT IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM
 article kindly submitted by Val Davies

Springer's are all too often the target of theives, they are very easy to sell on, often in Europe, and are easy to steal - they would sell their souls for biscuits in many cases!, which is why I was delighted when Val offered up her well researched advice for the site after spotting my chipped and neutered tags
This article is a copy of a leaflet which Val has produced at her own cost to alert people to the dangers.
Val has kindly sent me a printable copy of her leaflet which I will happily e-mail to anyone who wishes print it out.

"Please consider the following:

 Is my dog likely to be stolen or go missing?

If you protect your dog you would think not, BUT sadly this is not always the case.  Dog theft is on the increase, an estimated 50,000 are stolen annually, it is a quick money earner for the unscrupulous who may say they “found” your dog or blatantly demand money for it’s safe return.  No dog is exempt as they target pedigrees/crossbreeds, young/old, and healthy/ill.  They know the dog means a lot to you and will expect you to pay.  Sometimes dogs are taken just because someone fancies owning a particular dog – the fact that it belongs to someone else doesn’t matter to them.

 Can I protect my dog?

Make sure your dog wears a collar with ID (this is a legal requirement).  Get your dog chipped, it’s quick, permanent and usually the dog barely, if at all, notices its insertion. Also consider having your dog tattooed which is immediately visible and a deterrent. If your pet is “chipped” or tattooed please KEEP DETAILS UP TO DATE dogs sometimes fail to get reunited due to incorrect details. Make sure you have good recent photos of your dog, from various angles and make a note of any distinguishing features.  Useful tip: Think how would I describe my dog to someone who hasn’t seen it?

  • I look after my dog how could anyone possibly steal it?

  • Don’t leave dogs outside shops – an easy target

  • Don’t leave your dog in the car (even if locked) - dogs are taken from or with vehicles.

  • Don’t allow it to run free out of your sight – dogs can be enticed away and taken.

  • Never just let your dog out on the street alone – that’s irresponsible and asking for trouble.

  • Make sure your garden is secure, dogs are regularly stolen from gardens. Bolt and lock the gate. Make sure you can see/hear if anyone attempts to come into your garden and don’t leave dogs unattended in them.

 My dog is missing – what do I do?

Do a quick check the dog is not hiding or is local. Call the police make sure you get a CRIME number (do not accept an incident number as they are not the same

thing, a crime number means action should be taken not just logged)  Call the local Dog Warden. (Number usually under local Council). Contact DogLost 01909733366  www.doglost.co.uk. Even if you do not use a computer/internet they will help and advise, create and help distribute posters and involve their network of helpers to help you.  Followed by any breed specific rescue in your area.  Call all pounds and kennels. Leave your details. Knock on doors and ask around locally. Put up posters at vets, training classes, pet shops, dog walking sites, lampposts, anywhere and everywhere. Speak to dog walkers and people on the street (and get help to do this). Tell the microchip company/ tattoo register the dog is missing (or stolen) and make sure they record this fact, You should also find other lost/found dog sites on the internet and get details on there.

 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW – Good and Bad

  • Found dogs are not always scanned for a microchip by rescue centres, pounds, police or vets – stating the dog is chipped on its collar will help here but remember collars of stolen dogs are usually removed.  There is a small chance that chips may migrate or stop working – it’s a good idea to get your vet to check the chip at booster time and / or consider additional identification.

  • It is NOT the responsibility of anyone finding the dog to locate you and reunite the dog – the onus to find the dog rests with the owner.  Although most reputable places and people will try and reunite dogs with owners.

  • Found dogs can be taken to a holding pound, which is nowhere near where they were found – this could be 50 or 150 miles away.  When looking for your dog contact places in a very wide area. 

  • Dogs are still often destroyed after 7 clear days in kennels/pounds – and it doesn’t matter whether they are pedigrees or not, young or old, in perfect health or not.  Even if not destroyed they could be rehomed.  So act quickly.

  • If there is a dog somewhere in care even remotely matching the description of your missing dog please check it out, preferably by yourself or someone who knows the dog or by photo.  There are a number of pedigree breeds which could be mistaken for a mixed breed.  Sometimes male dogs are listed as bitches or vice versa!

 

I am an ordinary person who loves my dogs and wants the best for them.  I am one of many DogLost helpers and contribute to other dog-related websites which is how I became aware of many of the situations which might arise for missing dogs. 

 You may be interested to visit some of the following websites.

 www.doglost.co.uk - a website with a national network of helpers dedicated to helping reunite owners with their missing dogs.  Holds a massive database of missing, found and reunited dogs.  Gives invaluable advice, help and support.

 www.dogtheftaction.co.uk - working and campaigning to make dog theft a crime of the past.  Hosts a forum supporting and helping owners and various organisations to reunite missing dogs.

 www.dogpages.org.uk - a mine of information including a lost and found section, rehoming, advice and forums.

 www.lostlabs.com - what it says – helping to reunite lost and stolen Labradors with their owners.  Hosts a forum with advice and support.

 www.lost-doggies.com - lost and found dog site with useful information and forums giving advice and comment.

 www.amissingpet.co.uk - lost or found a pet in the UK?  Advertise it here.

 This is by no means a comprehensive list of websites.  There are very many out there but this is just to give you an idea.

There is far more to missing/stolen dogs than I can cover in this article … but …..

Perhaps reading this has made you aware of some things that you did not know in which case I have done what I set out to do.  This article is a personal project produced at my own cost because I care.  Perhaps one day I may be able to help you or might be grateful for your help to me. - V"