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Tackling dog theft with forensic science

With Pet Theft Awareness Week 2024 having taken place last month, Secured by Design (SBD) member company DNA Protected is raising awareness of the increasing number of dog thefts, and the steps owners can take to deter such thefts.

An estimated 2,290 dogs were reported stolen across the UK in 2023 according to research from Direct Line Pet Insurance, a 6% increase on 2022. Of these 2,290 dogs, only 16% were successfully returned to their owners, the lowest level since Direct Line started tracking data in 2015.

Which areas of the UK had the highest levels of dog theft?

London was the dog theft capital in 2023, reporting 359 dog thefts. The top 10 police forces for reports of stolen dogs in 2023 were:

  • Metropolitan Police 359
  • Kent Police 138
  • West Yorkshire Police 125
  • Lancashire Constabulary 122
  • South Yorkshire Police 82
  • Northumbria Police 73
  • West Midlands Police 71
  • Leicestershire Constabulary 65
  • Derbyshire Constabulary 63
  • Nottinghamshire Police 56

Gloucestershire and Surrey had the lowest number of dog thefts last year, reporting only 2 dog thefts. Both Gloucestershire Constabulary and Surrey Police coincidently are partnered with DNA Protected. 

What were the most commonly stolen dog breeds in 2023?

The top 10 most stolen breeds in the UK last year, according to the research carried out by Direct Line Pet Insurance were: 

  • English Bulldog
  • French Bulldog
  • XL Bully
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • American Bulldog
  • Dachshund
  • Shih Tzu
  • German Shepherd
  • Labrador
  • Chihuahua

The increase in the number of pets being stolen and a decrease on the likelihood of them being returned to just 16%, highlights the need for owners to ensure their dogs can be easily identified.

DNA Protected aims to deter dog theft, assist police with the return of recovered pets and contribute to the prosecution of the people responsible. A dog’s DNA is unique and cannot be changed.  It is nature’s ultimate identification system.  Unlike a microchip which might be lost, might not work or could even be removed, DNA will identify the dog for life.

Storing a dog’s DNA profile on Cellmark’s forensic database makes it accessible to the police and means that if the worst were to happen and the dog were to be lost or stolen, it could help ensure that they are safely returned.

What is DNA Protected?

DNA Protected and the Forensic Dog DNA database is a low-cost crime prevention initiative.  It was developed with Gloucestershire Police and is approved by Secured by Design, the official police security initiative for security products that can deter and reduce crime. 

DNA Protected makes the forensic DNA profiling technology that has revolutionised the investigation of human crime available to dog owners, delivering an identification system that cannot fail or be removed.  Not only can it act as a deterrent to thieves, it is also the most reliable way to prove ownership and so help the police return stolen dogs to their rightful owners.  

DNA Protected is being rolled out by a growing number of forces working together with leading Forensic Science Provider Cellmark. 

If you would like to learn more about how Cellmark and DNA Protected can support dog theft prevention please visit the DNA Protected website.