During the lockdown, dogs have been a much-needed vehicle of stress relief, however now dog owners are becoming worried about the sharp increase in dog-theft across the UK – and London is its epicentre. Nationally, dognapping has risen by 170% in the last year, with 465 dogs being wrongfully taken from their families. Around a week ago the City of London Corporation posted on Twitter that there had been “an attempted dog theft on the Heath”, and warned the public that “dog theft is on the increase”.
Initially, the public was made aware of the issue with a few cases across the country in the media. Such as Mr Jasper from Cannon Hill who told ITV’s This Morning he “never thought anything like this would ever to happen” to him after last December his 3-year-old Sprocker Spaniel “Ted” was stolen from him by two thieves whilst walking on Cannon Hill Common in South London. After a few more cases surfaced, unease rose, as the country realised the surge was much more dangerous and shattering than anyone had originally thought.
It is even happening across the Atlantic, when only last Wednesday Lady Gaga’s dog walker, Ryan Fischer was shot whilst walking her three dogs and two of them were abducted by two perpetrators in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Although Fischer is recovering well and her dogs have been returned, the situation, now spreading across countries, must be met with precaution by all dog owners.
“At the beginning, I didn’t think much of it but as more stories came out, specifically in my local area in North London, it now scares me to leave my dog outside the corner shop or to even walk him by myself.” – Zoe Leon Leyva, Tufnell Park resident and dog owner
A few government officials have strongly condemned the actions of these thieves and are calling for legislative action as they believe the Theft Act is insufficient for the rapidly evolving circumstances. MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith wants harsher penalties – “with gangs involved now it is getting quite violent and I think there has to be a specific charge”. Working with Sir Iain is Home Secretary Priti Patel who said on LBC “We are definitely looking into what kind of measures can be put into place in terms of criminality”. Hopefully, a change in the law could save dogs from being ripped from their families with longer sentences for the criminals.
The RSPCA are imploring dog owners to not leave their dogs outside shops and over social media, many are sharing tips on how people can keep their dogs and themselves safe. One Camden resident advised walking socially-distanced with a neighbour and a Holloway resident warned parents to not let their young children exercising the dog by themselves. Despite the swell in dognapping, there has been a heart-warming outpour of support, advise and unity from London residents on social media. Once again, Londoners have shown they can resist anything with help and unity, this time, against a heinous crime against man’s best friend.
