The number of targeted dog thefts from homes and kennels is shown to have risen dramatically since the start of lockdown.
Newly released figures by DogLost show that thefts are up 65% compared with this same time last year.
The website – which is dedicated to reuniting missing pups with their owners – said it had reports of 48 incidents of stolen pets from 23rd March – 1st June this year, compared to just 29 over the same time frame in 2019. Figures obtained last year following a Freedom of Information request also revealed that an average of five dogs were stolen each day in England and Wales.
It is also suspected that the real figure could even be twice as high as this number and this is due to the fact that victims often do not contact police or authorities when a pet theft occurs, despite the crime being classed as a theft of property.
Breeds of dog particularly identified as being the chosen targets for thieves include Labradors, Jack Russells, Cocker Spaniels, Chihuahuas, French Bulldogs, and Cockapoos.
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Unsplash / Joe Caione
The release of these figures come after a number of high-profile dog thefts reported in media outlets over recent weeks.
These include the stealing of 17 dogs and puppies during a raid at a kennels in Barton Mills in Suffolk earlier this month, a total 17 dog thefts over the past two months in Cambridgeshire – including one pet owner who had three dogs stolen from a kennel in Stretham – and more locally, a raid which saw 22 Cockapoos snatched from kennels in Tarleton, Lancashire back in May.
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Speaking to the Daily Mail, Jane Frankland of DogLost, said: “Many dogs are being stolen because of a sudden high demand due to an increase in the price of puppies.”
“Dogs are taken from gardens, kennels, even on walks [and] we advise people to always be on your guard.”
Police have confirmed that recent “anecdotal evidence” does appear to back up the figures released by DogLost, but that forces do not keep specific records/numbers about dogs.
For more information, visit the DogLost website here.
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One in 10 Brits are fired or disciplined after their work’s Christmas party, new survey finds
Emily Sergeant
We’re in peak office Christmas party season right now.
With just a week to go until the big day itself is here, many businesses across the UK are treating their staff to night out to celebrate both the festive season and all of the hard work they have been putting in throughout the year… and as you can expect, these are usually quite eventful gatherings, shall we say.
But now, a survey by has shed light on just how ‘eventful’ they actually are, as a new survey has revealed that, apparently, one in ten Brits face some sort of disciplinary action or dismissal due to their behaviour at Christmas parties.
The study was conducted by After Drink, and included more than 2,000 participants.
During the research, it was highlighted that 89% of employees admitted to drinking alcohol at these events, Lad Bible reports – with 65% of these confessing that they drank “excessively”.
One in 10 Brits get fired or disciplined after their work’s Christmas party / Credit: Kraken Images | Mimi Thian (via Unsplash)
There are a multitude of incidents which could lead to disciplinary action in the workplace nowadays, but according to the survey, some of the common reasons following festive celebrations with colleagues included inappropriate comments (23%) and even getting into fights (21%).
16% of these incidents were because of drug use during the event, while inappropriate interactions with colleagues accounted for 14%.
Some of the legal reasons you can be fired from your place of work after a Christmas party include gross misconduct, drunken behaviour, and fighting of any kind.
Despite all these risks, however, Christmas parties still remain as popular as always, and a whopping 79% of respondents said they are planning to attend theirs this year.
Clearly, the moral of the story here is , enjoy yourself… but just not too much.
Featured Image – The OurWhiskey Company (via Pexels)
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Chester Zoo is offering £1 tickets to families who ‘struggle to afford’ a festive day out
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo is offering £1 tickets this Christmas to families who may otherwise struggle to afford a festive day out.
Christmas is a time when many of us feel strapped for cash more than ever before, especially for those families on Universal Credit, which is why Chester Zoo is embracing the season of giving by offering thousands of locals the chance to visit the UK’s largest charity zoo for a fraction of the price of normal entry tickets.
The discounted tickets will be available for anyone claiming Universal Credit on visits from today (18 December) right up until New Year’s Eve (31 December), and they’ll need to be booked online in advance.
This brilliant initiative is a new addition to the zoo’s long-running Community Connections Scheme, which aims to reduce financial barriers to visiting for households and community groups.
Chester Zoo is offering £1 tickets to families on Universal Credit this festive season / Credit: Chester Zoo
Tickets priced at £1 will be available to people receiving Universal Credit, including claimants of Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance, and Housing Benefit.
Chester Zoo said the scheme is designed to help families on lower incomes enjoy the zoo during the festive period and connect with nature.
“We know that spending time outdoors and around wildlife can have a really positive impact on people, and we hope this helps more families enjoy a special day out together over the festive period, especially when this time of year can be difficult for many,” commented Charlotte Smith, who is Chester Zoo’s Director of Conservation Education.
“We hope this brightens the season for many more households.”
Emily Sergeant -
24th July 2020 
