... and what we can do to stop it happening here. You will all probably have seen the awful stories about a lot of dog thefts recently. These include the one from a Suffolk boarding kennel a few days ago where customers’ dogs were stolen along with the kennel owners’ own dogs and puppies. Some puppies were taken without their mother and some were only three weeks old... People have even had their homes broken in to so as to steal their dogs. Dogs can sell for upwards of a thousand pounds each and the criminal gangs are very well organised and ruthless.
There is also another gang operating very locally who are targeting gundogs (labradors, pointers, spaniels etc). They are being taken to sell on but are also being dognapped for ransom, with owners having to pay thousands of pounds to get their dogs back. We all need to look out for each other to make sure it doesn't happen here. We have a number of dogs in the Redlingfield area and we all need to be on the lookout for anything suspicious.
Regarding the dogs stolen from the boarding kennels - police are looking for a young woman in a black range rover or 4x4 - who they think was acting as lookout for the latest thefts. So don't just think white van - think any strange vehicle hanging around... If you do see anything at all that concerns you, make a note of the car/van number and call the police on 101, only call 999 if a crime is happening or people are in danger. It’s much better to err on the side of caution than have someone's beloved pet stolen.
If it's safe to do so - feel free to ask people what they are doing or who are they visiting and wave your phone around while you ask. Don't be embarrassed, you could be saving some poor pooch from a lifetime of abuse. Plus of course - if someone offers you a dog or puppy - be suspicious....
For those of you who use social media – do be careful about posting information about your dogs or yourselves that could help potential thieves target them. Posting pretty pictures of your beloved 'oodles along with information about where you live or work or what you plan to do next week is, unfortunately, a great way to advertise to thieves what animals you have and when you will be out or at work and aren't around to protect them.