10 Interesting Stats About Dog Theft

Dog theft has overwhelming consequences for both the dog owners and their beloved pets. It’s really sad but a harsh reality of the world that we live in. 

Common reasons dogs are stolen

Dog theft usually comes down to money.

• The most common victims of dog theft are purebred dogs that can fetch thousands of dollars with little effort.
• Pets may be stolen and sold to puppy mills to be used for breeding.
• Some people steal dogs simply because they know that the owner will offer a sizable reward for the return of their precious pets.
• Some stolen dogs, including German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, and American Pit Bull Terriers, are used as “bait dogs” or to be trained as fighting dogs.
• Some stolen dogs are sold to research and veterinary institutions that use dogs and cats for testing and biomedical experimentation.

Stats about dog theft

The massive increase in dog thefts is shocking and the statistics seem alarming. Read on to learn about dog theft statistics worldwide.

1. Dog theft rates in Australia have doubled since the start of the pandemic. The increase in thefts also brought a rise in fake adoptions.
2. Illegal dogfighting is a problem worldwide. Australia has an estimated 150 dogfighting rings, and stolen dogs are often used as “fighting bait.”
3. Two million dogs are stolen every year in the United States.
4. In the United States, over 184 million dogs and cats go missing every year.
5. The threat of pet theft affects 70% of all U.S. homes. One-third of all dogs and cats in the United States go missing at some point in their lifetimes.
6. In the United States, less than 20% of missing cats and dogs are recovered. More than 80% of all pets in the United States that go missing are never found.
7. During the onset of the global pandemic, lockdown, and travel restrictions, more people were inclined to adopting dogs. From 2019 to 2020, dog thefts in the U.K. increased by 170%. In 2020, 2000 dogs were reported stolen in England and Wales.
8. A staggering 98 percent of all dog theft criminals are never charged for the crime and in more than half of cases, a suspect is never identified. So, only 2% of dognappers are charged with a crime in the U.K. This shows a shocking failure to tackle a crime that is so devastating for pet parents.
9. In 2020, the statistics gathered by The Kennel Club showed that approximately 196 dogs were stolen every month in the U.K. 
10. It is estimated that more than 75,000 dogs are stolen every year in France, with thefts growing bolder. Dognappers steal dogs during the day, regardless of surveillance cameras or people nearby. Dogs have been stolen from cars, outside of shops, while walking on a leash, and in private gardens.

The increase in dog thefts is disheartening, but you can reduce the likelihood of your dog being stolen. With safelysecured, you need worry no more! Safelysecured products are designed to keep your precious dogs safe from opportunistic thieves.