Deputy police commissioner calls for tougher sentences as thefts of dogs soars by massive 250 per cent in Thames Valley

Today the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, Matthew Barber, is calling for tougher sentences for those found guilty of dog thefts.

The demand for dogs as pets has hugely increased over the past year as people have been spending so much more time at home. This has meant the price of dogs and puppies has risen accordingly.

"During the pandemic, dog ownership and prices have risen significantly. Pet theft is now the worst it has ever been, rising in some areas by 250 per cent," he said.

Mr Barber, himself an owner of a "lively labrador", added: "Some puppies can cost as much as £3,000, making them an attractive target for organised crime gangs.

"Tragically, just one in five pets are ever returned to their owner. Only about 1 per cent of pet thefts lead to charges."

The deputy PCC feels pet theft is not treated with the seriousness it deserves and reform is urgently needed.

“Pets are more than just property, they become part of your family. As a dog owner myself I am hugely concerned by the rise in dog thefts and the terrible trade in stolen animals. We all have a role to play by ensuring our animals are microchipped and only buying from registered breeders.

A Dog Trust survey found that 99 per cent of respondents considered their pets to be a family member. Any dog owner knows the real and intense pain felt when their pet is injured, dies or is stolen.

Mr Barber said: "The Government has already increased sentences for people who mistreat animals, and tackled puppy farming. It has also recognised Finn’s Law, which ensures that police dogs are now viewed as the living, breathing, sentient beings they are, leading to more severe punishment for their attackers.

"Three recent national petitions have been run before on pet theft, and debate twice conducted in Parliament, so it is clear the public are keen to see urgent action. "

He said dog thefts are often committed by organised crime gangs and he is calling on police to tackle these gangs and eliminate this crime.

"It is important that the police recognise this is a matter of serious organised crime and many of the thefts are a result of criminal gangs," he said.

The Theft Act currently allows a sentence of up to seven years, but the majority of prison sentences for pet thefts are less than six months or even just a fine.

"I am calling on the Government to review the sentencing guidelines to allow the courts to impose tougher penalties on those found guilty of this awful crime which can have such a terrible effect on families."

You can sign up to Mr Barber's campaign hereEditor's note: The headline on an earlier version of this story has been changed to reflect that the rise in cases referenced in the story was for the Thames Valley region.