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Police urge dog owners to take extra precautions to prevent pet theft
Officers in Greater Manchester recently arrested three people on suspicion of stealing seven English bulldog puppies (pictured)

Demand for pets in lockdown leads to 170 per cent rise in dog theft cases.

Following a rise in reports of pet thefts, police are encouraging dog owners to take reasonable security measures to ensure that their pets are safe.

According to the charity DogLost, reports of pet theft have increased by 170 per cent in the last year, from 172 dogs in 2019 to 465 in 2020.

Deputy chief constable Amanda Blakeman, who is the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for acquisitive crime, said: “Dog theft can be a devastating crime for families and causes considerable distress to owners. Whilst it is still a very rare crime, it’s sadly something we have seen increasing recently.

“During the Coronavirus pandemic criminals have adjusted their activities and are taking advantage of the big demand for pets over the lockdown period. The cost of a puppy has considerably increased over the past year making this a lucrative market for organised criminals to exploit.”

NPCC has directed pet owners to the Blue Cross website, which has a wide range of advice on how to prevent theft of dogs and what to do if it happens.

The police also encouraged those who are buying dogs to fully consider where the pet may have come from and ensure that it is being purchased legally.

Policing minister Kit Malthouse said: “Losing a much loved family pet can cause great distress and it’s a sad fact that criminals will seek to profit by this vile crime.

“We are taking action to cut crime by bolstering the police with 20,000 extra officers and our £20 million Safer Streets Fund will provide Police and Crime Commissioners with additional cash to spend on crimes such as theft.”

Images (c) Dyfed Powys Police & GMP.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.