It is a tragedy that fears every good dog owner will happen to their beloved Pooch.
But dog theft is a very common problem in the UK – with certain varieties that are more at risk than others.
Trendy French Bulldogs turned out to be the most common breed for Dognapping in 2024, with 51 removed nationally – an increase of more than a third (38 percent) compared to 2023.
It is thought that famous owners of the fashionable breed have an increase in popularity, and include David Beckham and Lady Gaga – who themselves had stolen two Frenchies in 2021.
About 1,808 dogs were grown in total last year by the United Kingdom – the equivalent of five every day, revealed new analysis of police data per direct line.
English Bulldogs turned out to be the second most stolen race, reported with 37 incidents – followed by Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Chihuahuas, XL bullying heads and Labradors.
But other races also prove the risk of dognapping, with thousands of companion animals owners in the United Kingdom with the painful question where their four -legged family member went – and whether they will ever see them again.
Jason Shutt, from noise lip, northwestern, lost his beloved Pug Ozzie when his house was broken into by burglars on 10 February.
Ozzie, who is eight years old and trusts medication after struggle with cancer, slept upstairs when robbers last month raided the parental home.
French Bulldogs turned out to be the most common breed last year for dognapping in the United Kingdom, with 51 nationwide pruned (stock photo of the breed)
Ozzie, an eight-year-old PUG, has been missing since burglars the house of his owners in Ruislip, Northwest London, in February
Since then, the owners of Ozzie tirelessly try to trace their little dog – terrified of his well -being and left behind due to the loss of whom they consider a family member.
“It's terrible. It is a piece of the family that is missing, “Mr. Shutt told MailOnline.
'We are busy moving, and everything you do is shaded by the fact that your head is entirely focused on trying to find Ozzie and what you can then do. It is the feeling of uselessness. '
Mr Shutt said that he still spends hours to Ozzie in the evening and is petrified for his well -being.
“I would understand if Ozzie was a young man who could breed,” said the owner.
“He is the elderly, he has been sick in the past; He is now fine, but he still needs treatment.
“If they took him, it would not be long before they realize that they can't do much with him.”
Mr. Shutt said there is a chance that Ozzie will ran out of the house after he had been beaten by the burglars, but this considered unlikely because he did not ran on his walks and was upstairs at the time.
Famous owners of the trendy French Bulldog terrace are Lady Gaga (photo), who has stolen dogs by thieves
David Beckham (photo) also has the trendy variety, which makes it possible to increase the increase in popularity
Petse owner Nicky Roe lost her beloved miniature pinscher Diddy (photo) of theft six years ago
Petse owner Nicky Roe also lost her beloved miniature pinscher Diddy Diddy six years ago.
'Being missing a dog is the worst feeling in the world … it is constant pain without closure! Totally the change of life changes your world upside down, “she said.
'No answers … just a constant confusion of what happened? Where are they? Are they okay? Shall I ever know? Shall I ever see her more? '
Since then, Mrs. Roe has sold her house and opened a dog rescue center.
About one in five (19 percent) missing dogs were returned to their owners in 2024, one of the lowest levels of pets reunited in the decade of the insurer of following dog thefts.
The PET -Deputy Act came into force in May 2024, making PET theft a criminal offense in England and Noord -IERLAND. The crime is punishable with a maximum of five years in prison, a fine or both.
Over the past 10 years, Line Hondo theft has followed Direct Line, with 23,430 dogs that was stolen to the police at that time. Only 5,005 (21 percent) of those dogs has been returned.
The top year for thefts was 2021, when 2,760 dogs were tragically removed from their owners.
In general, theft of dogs has fallen with more than a fifth (22 percent) in the past decade, a positive step but still a revolving and widespread problem.
Since French bulldogs can get up to £ 5,000 if it is purchased from a reputable breeder, it is no wonder they were the most grown dog of 2024 – with criminals who can secure large amounts for the animals by selling them.
Famous owners of the trendy breed are Beckham and Lady Gaga, who themselves have stolen French by thieves.
Two -thirds (65 percent) of the dog owners agree that the culture of celebrities and social media stimulate the question and then stimulate theft of certain dog breeds.
Rottweilers saw the highest increase in thefts, an increase of 180 percent on an annual basis. This was closely followed by Border Collies at 160 percent (from five to 13) and Chihuahuas at 86 percent (from 14 to 26).
On the other hand, thefts of XL bullying have fallen considerably since 2023, with almost half (49 percent).
The decline is probably linked to the ban on the breed, which was introduced in England and Wales in February 2024.
Adam Burgin, head of direct line insurance, said: 'As a nation of animal lovers, we hope to continue the downward trend in the number of stolen dogs.
Diddy, who would now be about 11 years ago, disappeared about six years ago, said her owner
Ozzie's owner Jason Stutt is still tirelessly trying to detect his pet, terrified of his well -being while trusting medication after fighting cancer fighting
Ozzie slept upstairs when robbers last month raided the parental home in noise lip
Our research in the past decade has shown that dog theft is a persistent issue and hopefully the PET-Odvoersingswet 2024 will encourage a change in criminal behavior in the long term.
“Those who have fallen victim to theft of dogs will know the intense stress and trauma that is accompanied by their beloved pet who leaves them, often without closing what happened to a member of their family.”
Despite a decrease in reported dog thefts, fear of theft remains a great concern for the estimated 28 percent of British adults who have a dog.
Six in ten (61 percent) dog owners say they are concerned about the possibility that their dog will be stolen, while more than a third (33 percent) say they feel 'extreme' or 'very' worried.
