As pet owners, it can be devastating to lose a beloved pet and even with microchipping - it can sometimes be hard to get them back.
Distraught animal lovers in the West Midlands have seen thousands of pets stolen over the last five years. Pet theft is at record levels - increasing by as much as 147% in some parts of the UK, according to research by a home security company ADT.
And the most common pet to be stolen is dogs - with birds and cats coming second and third. As many as 10.4 pets were stolen from every 100,000 people in the West Midlands since 2018.
As pet owners, there are many ways to keep our pooches safe from dognappers. Here are the top five tips from security experts ADT:
According to ADT, despite the huge number of pet thefts in the West Midlands, other UK regions including Devon and Cornwall, Northumbria and Lancashire are seeing higher levels.
There are some breeds of dogs that are more likely to get stolen than the others - which is something to keep in mind if you’re a dog owner already - or a prospective
Here are the nine most commonly stolen breeds:
And the most common pet to be stolen is dogs - with birds and cats coming second and third. As many as 10.4 pets were stolen from every 100,000 people in the West Midlands since 2018.
9. Pug
Small and lively Pugs can be stubborn but all they want is their owners to give them affection. They are a popular breed and are the ninth most commonly stolen. It can cost from £500 to £1500 for a well-bred pedigree puppy. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)