Dogs are snatched for a life of crime

Last updated at 20:43 19 February 2007


The number of dognappings

has soared as

villains snatch Staffordshire

Bull Terriers to

use for protection or as

guard dogs.

The Metropolitan

Police yesterday reported

a 74 per cent rise in

dog thefts in London in

the year to last April.

A total of 417 dogs

were stolen – 56 per

cent of them Staffordshires

– against 239 the

previous year.

Experts claimed, however,

that this figure

was only the tip of the

iceberg.

The Met said in a

report: "There is the

possibility such dogs

(Staffordshires) could

be used by criminals

such as drug dealers or

stolen property handlers

to protect their

criminal assets."

It went on to reveal

that dogs were used in

11 muggings and 11

assaults.

In 18 crimes

where a description

was given, ten involved

a Staffordshire.

Jane Hayes, from the

Dog Lost website, which

reunites lost or stolen

dogs with their owners,

said the service took

100 calls a week about

stolen dogs – four times

more than a year ago.

She said: "The biggest

increase in the number

of dogs stolen are in

Staffordshire Bull Terriers

as criminals realise

it is a quick way to make

money by stealing a

dog and selling it in the

pub for £30."

The top five most stolen breeds of dog are as follows:

1. Stafford Bull Terrier - 56 per cent

2. Rottweiler - 5 per cent

3. German Shepherd - 4 per cent

4. Cocker Spaniel - 2 per cent

5. Jack Russell - 2 per cent

Source: Met Police report

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