Neighbourhood Watch create survey into dog thefts to gauge public feeling

Devon and Cornwall Police have shared a survey about dog thefts in order to gauge the public's perception and attitude towards this specific crime. 

Neighbourhood Watch Network is supporting Sussex's Police and Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne, who, in partnership with the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, has created an online survey designed to understand the public’s perception of dog theft, enforcement, and the prosecution of offenders.

The survey includes a question seeking views on whether dogs should be treated in law merely as property when they are stolen. Having a common understanding of how the public feels about this issue will help inform discussions that Police and Crime Commissioners and Neighbourhood Watch Network will have nationally, as well as allow police forces to better understand the public’s views.

Mrs Bourne said: "Pet theft, dog theft in particular, is a growing concern for the public and their fear has been perpetuated over the last couple of weeks with shocking reports in the media of more dogs being snatched by criminals.

"I am incredibly eager to get more detail around this issue and understand residents’ views and if they feel more could be done to respond to their concerns or for more preventative measures to be put in place to better protect their pets.”

It is thought that the demand for dogs and puppies has increased so much during lockdown, that the prices for some breeds have more than doubled, encouraging criminals to see Man's Best Friend as Man's Easy Buck. Dog Lost, an organisation that helps reunite pets with their owners, estimates that the number of dog thefts in the UK have increased by 250 per cent since the start of lockdown. 

A spokesperson for NWN said: "Neighbourhood Watch Network have just been approached to help support this campaign so apologies for the short notice as the survey closes on Friday, 12 March. Please, if you can, and haven't already, take a couple of minutes to complete the survey as your support and views are really valuable to us."

Link to survey is here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/dogtheft

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