Recent coverage of dog thefts in Llanelli has left many owners fearing for their own safety and that of their animals.
From the recent police raids in Carmarthenshire and Neath to the incident in Bynea where the attempted theft of a dog was thwarted by its owner, it is becoming clearer there have been many more incidents locally causing concern.
Owners are also being advised to take precautions to reduce the chances of pet theft and further tips and advice is available from many animal charities, such as the Dogs Trust. They include:
- Keep garden fences secure to avoid your pet escaping and to prevent easy access to trespassers.
- Always keep your pet in sight on walks and in your garden. When out walking a dog, make sure it is trained to respond to a recall command.
- Never leave your pet tied-up outside a shop or left alone in a car.
- Ensure your pet is microchipped, has up-to-date contact details, and, if applicable, is wearing a tag with YOUR name, phone number and address on it.
- Have your pet spayed/neutered. Not only does this mean your pet will be less likely to stray, it may also prevent theft for breeding purposes.
- If you plan to use services such as a dog walker, groomers, house sitter or a boarding kennel, do your research to ensure you are using a legitimate and reputable service.
- Do not advertise the fact you own pets. Avoid placing pet ownership placards or notices on the front of your property or posting any information on social media about your pet.
- If you do become an unfortunate victim of pet theft then you should:
- Report the theft to the police, ensuring you get a Crime Reference number and insist that your pet is recorded as stolen and not missing.
- Report your pet’s disappearance to your microchip provider as they can notify you when your pet has been found. Report the theft to missing/stolen animal websites who help reunite missing pets with their owners by offering free advice and support.
- Be sure you have plenty of recent pictures of you with your pet. These can come in useful when proving ownership and also showing what your pet currently looks like
- Social media is a great way to raise awareness of your stolen pet. Post details of the incidence and pictures of your pet, making sure your settings are on Public to reach as many people as possible.
- Monitor websites and places where thieves may try to sell on your pet (pet shops, notice boards) and notify the police immediately if you come across anything.
- Contact local animal centres, rescue charities, your local vet and any neighbouring practices, so that they are aware of the incident,
- Approach your local media who could help publicise your missing pet. This may also be a good way to raise awareness about the issue and prevent further pets being stolen.
The theft of a pet is not a simple matter of theft of an item. Nor should it be treated as such by the law. Pets are members of our families and my heart goes out to anyone whose much-loved pet has been cruelly taken from them. These cases really need to be measured more in terms of emotional distress than economic loss.
The setting up of a task force by Dyfed Powys Police to investigate this problem is welcome. If you have any information that would help tackle this growing issue then please report it immediately. The more they know about what is happening, the easier and quicker it will be to deal with.
Pet theft is already a criminal offence but evidence suggests that punishments handed to perpetrators usually fall way below the maximum available. The law and current sentencing guidelines need strengthening to take account of the real emotional impacts on the victims of this crime.
As well as tackling pet theft, we also need to see more decisive action taken on puppy smuggling and animal cruelty. That is why, along with other Labour MPs, in order to address these concerns more fully, I am calling on the Conservative Government to include a comprehensive Animal Welfare Bill in the next Queen’s Speech, which is expected to be in the next few months.
