Pet Crime prevention: Smart Tech and Practical Tips

Statistics show an average of 6 dogs are stolen daily in the UK and the emotional toll on families is devastating, as Debbie Evans knows all too well. She’s one of 3 founders of Dogateers, a volunteer group dedicated to searching for lost, missing and stolen dogs across Hertfordshire, Essex and Cambridge. The group give up hours and days of their time to find and reunite pets with their owners using tracking methods, thermal drones, cameras and traps, and the power of social media.

“Pets are worth a lot of money these days and people steal them for ransom, for breeding puppies or to sell on to new owners. We had one case of a dog being stolen from a kennel block when the owner was on holiday and he had to buy his own dog back from the blackmailer, another dog Alfie was stolen from a disabled lady’s garden”.

Sadly Alfie’s story is not unique. Figures show that half of all stolen dogs are taken from people’s homes and thieves target popular breeds like bulldogs, XL Bullys, cockapoos, cocker spaniels, dachshunds and labradors to make a quick cash sale. Sometimes the dog-nappers demand a ransom for their safe return, but in most cases the dogs are sold on to an unsuspecting new owner.

Dogs are the most common pets to be stolen, followed by cats, livestock, birds and horses. In rural areas organised gangs are increasingly targeting farmyards and fields, stealing livestock, expensive horses and highly trained working dogs. According to NFU Mutual in 2023 livestock theft alone cost farmers £2.6 million pounds. 

In response, several police forces have established their own dedicated ‘pet detectives’ to crack down on this type of crime, and the government recently passed the Pet Abduction Act (November 2024), making the theft of a dog or a cat a criminal offence with a conviction of up to five years in prison, hopefully a strong deterrent to any pet criminal.

However, there are also some positive steps pet parents can take to prevent this emotionally traumatic crime, aided by some innovative ‘pet tech’.

The first step is to microchip your pet, and ensure their details are up to date on the database. Taking recent photos of your pet can be useful to help quickly identify them if they go missing.

Debbie from Dogateers shares some top tips, “Definitely don’t leave your dog in a car or tied up outside a shop, they are a target to thieves. We also tell people to be cautious when you’re walking your dog and keep an eye open for strangers approaching.  We recommend using a carabiner to clip your dog lead to the collar because we’ve had a case of someone quickly unhooking a lead and running off with a dog right under an elderly owner’s nose”.

Secured by Design run a product accreditation scheme on behalf of the police for products or services that help deter or prevent crime, with two pet services meeting their rigorous testing standards.

The Digital Tag has just been launched by Pet Trust UK. It works by a simple tap of a smartphone or scan of the QR code on the tag to reveal a lost dog’s identity, sending a pin drop of its location to its owner (without revealing personal details) quickly reuniting missing dogs and their owners. The tag is linked to a secure digital platform where you can store your pet’s vital data, including photos, contact details, health records, and more. For breeders and owners of restricted breeds, it even allows you to upload essential documentation like insurance and neutering certificates.

The Forensic DNA Dog Database Cellmark Forensic Services has created what is believed to be the first Dog DNA database. With over 30 years of experience providing specialist forensic service to the police, Cellmark has expanded its expertise to help combat pet theft. A simple mouth swab from your pet creates a unique DNA profile which is added to a database and can be used to verify your dog’s identify.

At home there are several precautions you can take to improve security and make your surrounds safer. Never leave unattended dogs alone in the garden, secure gardens with fences and gates with quality locks, and consider growing some thorny bushes as a boundary deterrent. Gravel drives can alert the household to an approaching stranger, along with CCTV cameras, Wifi doorbells and outside lighting. If you are posting on social media about your pet, think about your privacy settings and avoid putting too much information online about where your animals live or are kept.

Always do a background check and use a reputable pet sitter or boarding facility, as there are people who set up fake companies to steal expensive pets, especially if they can breed them. If you’re buying a puppy make sure it’s from a registered and legitimate breeder. 

Rural households and farms should secure all outbuildings with quality doors, gate locks and deadbolts and use remote, long range CCTV cameras that are weatherproof with night vision. To keep livestock and horses safe, regularly check and maintain fences and gates.  Consider using alarmed paddocks or passive infrared sensors that send a message to your phone. Always keep a watch for any damage or suspicious activity and alert others in your community.   

Working dogs and kennels are also a target for criminals, particularly if they are highly trained or breeding pedigrees. Ensure kennels are roofed, have secure doors and locks and consider getting cameras and lighting for added protection.

It’s also good idea to take pictures of your horses and working dogs to help with quick identification and tag your animals where you can. Marking horse tack and farm equipment can also act as a deterrent for criminals scoping out your property, with a number of SBD member companies offering a wide range of marking and forensic coding products to deter theft. 

Hazel Goss from Secured by Design said, “We work hard to make our communities safe and have a number of accredited products from cameras, locks, fencing, property marking, dog tags and a forensic database service that could really help prevent this terrible type of crime”.

What do to if your pet has been taken

If your pet or animal has been stolen the key is to act quickly.  Make sure you call the police and get a crime reference number. You should also contact the RSPCA, local vets and council dog wardens, and report the loss to the microchip database.

Debbie from Dogateers recommends contacting a local group like hers, if they exist, as they can act as a central point to help spread the word quickly on social media across platforms like Facebook and on sites like Doglost.co.uk. Farm Watch, Horse Watch, and the Stolen Horse Register are also ways to reach out to the rural community quickly.  What3Words is another useful app to pinpoint a rural area to assist the police if you need to report an incident. Be very cautious about offering a reward because this can attract fraudsters claiming to have your dog.

Police CPI’s Secured by Design (SBD) initiative operates an accreditation scheme on behalf of the UK police service for products or services that have met recognised security standards. These products or services are known as being of a ‘Police Preferred Specification’. SBD is the only way for companies to obtain police recognition for security-related products in the UK, through the Police Preferred Specification.