Lockdown blues and demand for fashionable breeds to blame for spike in suspected dog thefts

Covid-19 and demand for designer dogs could be to blame for a spike in suspected dognappings on the Fylde coast.
One of the missing dogs, MaggieOne of the missing dogs, Maggie
One of the missing dogs, Maggie

High demand for 'designer breeds' and fashionable crossbreeds such as labradoodles and cockerpoos, along with a huge increase in puppy sales during lockdown, may connected to the disappearance of at least two French bulldogs, two pugs and an American bulldog in Blackpool in recent months.

One-year-old French bulldog Maggie was on a walk in Stanley Park with her owner Teresa Cunliffe, 60, on the morning of December 17 when she wandered into some bushes and didn't emerge.

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Another French bulldog, Ralph, disappeared from the bottom of Little Poulton Lane in the fields backing onto Mains Lane on October 31.

Missing: RalphMissing: Ralph
Missing: Ralph

Cream-coloured panda pug Gigi and long-haired pug Tank both disappeared from Jeffrey Square in Blackpool at around 11.30am on November 17.

And most recently, an American bulldog called Hector went missing from Cartmell Lane, Moss Side on December 27.

Heartbroken owners and local dog rescue groups alike believe thieves are to blame.

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Joan Lamb, of charity Harvey's Army, said: "Dog theft across the UK is up this year. Dog theft increased by 250 per cent in 2020.

Missing: HectorMissing: Hector
Missing: Hector

"People are spending more time at home during lockdown. Because people are spending more time at home they are buying pets, and it may be just a flash in the pan because when they go back to work they don't want them any more. But there's an issue of supply and demand. Reliable breeders aren't breeding as much due to problems caused by Covid-19.

"There could be a multitude of reasons why these animals are being taken; either for selling or for breeding if they aren't neutered or spayed. Designer breeds are probably going to be sold on because they are so valuable."

The cost of dogs has almost doubled since Britain's first lockdown in March 2020, with puppies going for £1,900 on average. Some popular breeds have been sold for £3,000 or more.

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Maxine Conchie, of Harvey's Army, said: "There's always been an endemic of dog thefts but since lockdown it's become an epidemic. The Kennel Club has reported an 168 per cent increase in people searching for puppies from the beginning of Covid-19. Puppies are stolen for immediate sale and adult dogs for breeding. Organised crime and opportunists are stealing dogs from all over the UK.

"The level of penalties against dog thieves is so slight, treated like a minor offence, like stealing a phone or a bike. The law should reflect the impact this crime has on both the families and the pets. It breaks my heart when I think about families whose dog has been stolen from them, the loss of a pet is always devastating to owners especially stolen ones because they have the added worry of where they are and if they are being looked after."

THE RSPCA SAID...

“It’s really concerning to see how many dogs are being stolen each year and we’d urge anyone who believed their pooch has been taken to report the incident to police immediately.

“As an animal welfare charity the RSPCA doesn’t deal directly with pet theft - leaving criminal matters such as this to the expertise of police - but we believe the rise in dognapping could be as a result of the surging popularity, and value, of certain ‘designer’ breeds and fashionable crossbreeds.

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“We’d urge all dog owners to take extra precautions to protect their pets from thieves by neutering them, ensuring they are microchipped with up-to-date contact details registered, ensuring they wear a collar with contact details embroidered or an engraved ID tag. We’d also advise that owners never leave their pets tied up outside shops or alone in cars, ensure their gardens are secure with gates locked, and ensure their pet has a good recall and doesn’t stray too far when off-lead on walks.

“Anyone who suspects their dog may have been stolen should immediately alert police, contact their microchip company to register their pet as stolen and inform local rescue groups, vets, dog walkers and neighbours."