One dog theft a month leaving families in Burnley, Pendle and the Ribble Valley Families with 'heartache and distress' , police warn

Thieves have struck 41 times in the area in the past three years, with thefts soaring by nearly 65 percent since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, police data reveals.

A police spokesperson said: “Dogs are often part of the family and we appreciate the heartache and distress that having a pet stolen can cause.

“As a result of the Covid-19 lockdown and more people working from home, more people have become dog owners and demand has gone up – sometimes resulting in criminals taking advantage by stealing dogs to sell them on.”

To help keep pets safe, officers are advising people to:

“Keep an ID tag on their dog at all times;

“Avoid leaving them in the garden unattended;

“Lock gates and ensure there are no places where animals can escape or be pulled through;

“Fit a gate bell or alarm so it makes a sound when someone opens it;

“Have their pet microchipped;

“Avoid leaving a dog tied up outside a shop or left alone in a car;

“Take photographs of their pet to prove ownership if it’s stolen and then found;

“Report dog theft to police straight away.”

Anyone with information about a stolen dog, or suspicious behaviour, can report it to police on 101 or via www.lancashire.police.uk