A CAMPAIGN calling for stiffer sentences for dog thieves has been launched in Wiltshire as criminals take advantage of a rise in demand – and prices – during the pandemic lockdowns.

Last month, Wiltshire Police issued a warning urging people to keep their dogs inside after a gang in a 4x4 vehicle was spotted driving around the county attempting to steal much-loved pets.

Since then the force has received numerous calls from the public reporting suspicious activity.

Now prospective police and crime commissioner Liz Webster has joined the call for a national registration scheme and for pet theft to be a specific crime with a jail term.

She said: “My heart breaks when I think about families whose dogs have been ripped away from them by criminals. The loss of any pet is devastating to owners, with the added trauma of not knowing what conditions the dog will end up in.

“We need a national registration scheme and for dog theft to be made a specific crime with a jail term. As it stands, the law sees the theft of beloved family dogs in the same light as stealing a bike or a microwave. The risk of small fines will not stop this type of organised crime.”

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The economic climate created by the Covid-19 pandemic is being blamed as one reason for the increase as many stolen pedigree breeds can sell for thousands of pounds.

With more people working from home the demand for dogs has soared. Earlier this year, the Kennel Club reported a 168 per cent increase in people searching for puppies for sale compared to 2019.

Organised crime groups have tried to capitalise on this increase by targeting homes with dogs, particularly those with valuable pedigree breeds.

The charity DogLost found an increase of 65 per cent between March 23 and June 1 during the first lockdown. Some stolen dogs are forced into puppy farming or for illegal dog fights.

A police spokesman said: “At this stage, it seems we are dealing with reports of attempted thefts, rather than dogs actually being taken, but we are carrying out detailed enquiries.

“We are liaising closely with neighbouring police forces as we believe this could be related to a small group of criminals operating through the region.

“We don’t want people to panic and we wouldn’t want to worry people unnecessarily, but we would continue to urge dog owners to report suspicious activity to us via 101 or our website, and would remind everyone to be vigilant and ensure their dogs are locked inside or kept in safe and secure kennels.”

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Dog owners in Pintail Way, Westbury, were recently warned after it was reported that some homes with dogs were being marked with a letter in chalk. Police have been informed.

In Westbury, dog owners, especially lone females, have been warned on local social media not to walk or exercise their dog alone. One posted: “I was exercising my dog in the doctor’s surgery car park and a green Suzuki Vitara type car pulled up in the layby/bus stop next to the surgery.

“A man got out of the passenger side and walked towards the surgery doors while also looking at us. He then slowly walked back to the car, drove off and then they drove around to the locked front gates, the man got out and watched us again.

“It was only when he saw that my husband was with us and our dog started barking that they drove off. The car matched the description of the one recently seen in nearby areas relating to attempted dog thieves.”

Gamekeeper Reece Ronald, 24, from East Knoyle near Warminster, knows how heart-breaking the loss of a dog can be after his four dogs were snatched on December 23 last year.

They included two Springer Spaniels - one black and white one called Holly and the other a liver and white dog called Bailey - plus a long-haired Patterdale Terrier called Norma and five-month-old Cocker Spaniel puppy Millie.

Mr Ronald said the thieves snatched the dogs after breaking into a yard and ripping the kennel gate off its hinges.

Mr Ronald added: “I’m devastated. I went to the kennels on Tuesday morning and they were gone. It is heart-breaking.” Holly was recovered by police near Weston-super-Mare, dumped by the side of an A road tied to a post. He said: “It still feels weird not having the others. When I take Holly for a walk the others are not there. It feels like part of me has gone. It is gut-wrenching every time I see photos of them. I feel sorry for those people who are losing their dogs. I would not wish it on my worst enemy.”

Mr Ronald says he is “still optimistic” that one day his other three dogs will be found. They are listed as stolen on several websites, including the police, RSPCA and DogsLost.

The DogLost helpline advised dog owners to get their dogs microchipped to make it easier for them to be traced.

DogsLost director Wayne May says working breeds such as cocker spaniels are most at risk, with trained gundogs selling for thousands of pounds or being taken for breeding.

Mr May is one of the UK’s leading experts on working dog theft. In 2008 six of his own shooting gundogs were stolen.

He said: “There are people specifically looking for working gundogs. I refer to it as organised crime, where they will target gamekeepers, beaters and anyone with gundogs.

“You don’t know who these people are but they are watching you all the time. Social media is one of the main ways they identify targets. We all like to talk about how good our dogs are and the dog’s name becomes recognised.”

Mr May said the motive for dog theft is simple economics. “A springer spaniel puppy is worth £400 to £600 but for a fully trained gundog the sky is the limit.”

Websites that are used to buy and sell goods will often also carry hundreds of adverts for dogs, including gundogs, most of which are legitimate.

As well as puppies, adult dogs are offered for sale, but some with no mention of paperwork, which should ring alarm bells.

“Most people involved in shooting are honourable - they would never willingly buy a dog they knew was stolen,” Mr May said.

If you have information that can help Mr Ronald recover his dogs, call 07855 302158 or his mother-in-law Maggie Flower on 07896 702147.