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83 stolen dogs found in a police raid in Ipswich. They are looking to reunite dogs with their owners. There is a lot of news coverage on this.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9386369/Police-seize-83-dogs-arrest-six-people-raid-suspected-puppy-stealing-gang.html

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-56475355

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/21/police-arrest-six-as-83-dogs-are-seized-in-suffolk-after-pet-thefts

Yes, that is all good advice.  Thank you for posting that Webstation.

Here is an article written by Karen Puddlefoot on her Facebook page "Stop Dog Thefts and Attacks 2021".  Some of the suggestions overlap the Police advice but others are also really helpful and offer simple, practical and potentially effective ideas.

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All we seem to hear about is dog thefts. I've seen some great tips for anxious owners, so thought I would try and compile a list which might be helpful:

* Don't put photos of your dogs on social media, never disclose your location or daily routines.

* Install Ring Doorbell at home.

* Don't leave your dogs alone in your garden, no matter how secure you think it is.

* Keep your garden well lit.

* Padlock bolts on side gates.

* Attach bells or clanky chains to your side gates.

* Never install a dog flap!

* Ensure your dogs chip details are up to date and working. Ask your vet to scan your dog annually. I keep a photo of the scanned number on my phone for quick reference.

* Call your chip company. Ask them to read the details back to you to ensure they are current and correct. Tell your chip company to mark the chip as non-transferable from your name.

When walking:

* Keep your mobile and your keys in your pocket.

* Carry personal alarms, one attached to the top of your lead (i attach mine with a carabiner so it cant be removed as its going off) put the other on your jacket zipper or waistband

* Wear a Hi Vis jacket.

* Carry a whistle on a lanyard round your neck

* Attach bells to your dogs collar/harness. 

* Carry a personal defence spray / theft deterrent die spray. If the spray is not harmful, spray on your dog at the same time. A thief may decide your dog is not easy to sell on when it's purple!

* Carry a walking pole, umbrella or similar.

* Don't dispose of your full dog poo bags until you are home. An open bag in the face will buy you valuable time.

* Perhaps use a double lead attached to harness and collar. Use a lead wrist strap. Make it really difficult for your dogs lead to be unclipped, use a carabiner or even a small combi lock. Waist hand free leads are available, fasten with carabiners.

* Don't include your dogs name on your dog tag. All you legally need is owners surname & address. A phone number is obviously very advisable.

* Study some basic self defence clips on you tube

* Don't walk alone, or if you have to, keep to populated areas with other walkers in sight.

* Perhaps set up or join a local dog walking group so you can organise a rota so no-one walks alone.

* Vary where you walk, your times, your routines.

* Stay alert of your surroundings, people around you and what is going on.

* Always keep yourself between your dog and the road. Keep your lead in your hand furthest away from the road. This leaves your arm and hand free curbside to protect yourself if needed and your dog shielded.

* If a vehicle stops next to you, or is acting suspiciously, walk very quickly in the opposite direction away from rear of vehicle, ensure the occupants cannot easily follow you, dont walk in front.

* Download the What3Words app. and  Hollie guard App. The Hollie Guard turns your phone into a personal safety device. Protect yourself from violence and accidents, record evidence and alert emergency contacts of your whereabouts quickly and easily. If you feel like you're at risk, shake your phone or tap the screen to generate an alert. It’s free and can help keep you safe whilst dog walking.

* And if you feel really nervous or vulnerable, you could always wear something similar to a Pro Go Camera.

* Keep a sample of your dogs DNA. Take your dogs hair from your dog brush and seal it in a zip lock bag, or airtight jar. Pop it in your freezer. It could be useful: To help prove ownership as a back up (sadly we do hear of chips removed). To aid as a tracking scent in the event your dog goes missing. Repeat and freeze a fresh hair sample every 12 months. More than one dog, freeze samples separately.

* Dog Horn is an anti dog theft group. Worth checking out. They have a good range of products in their shop.

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