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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Three tiny ‘chaos potatoes’ have been born at Chester Zoo and they’re so cute
Emily Sergeant
Three tiny ‘chaos potatoes’ have been born at Chester Zoo… and they’re really flipping cute.
Born to parents Maris and Albert in late summer, the three rock hyrax pups – only affectionately known as ‘chaos potatoes’ – have just passed their first vet check with a clean bill of health, and now weigh roughly 350g.
Hyraxes are found across sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, where they live among rocky landscapes and are most active in daylight.
The litter includes two boys and one girl, and keepers at Chester Zoo have decided to give them potato-themed names – Russ, Spud, and Jackie.
Three tiny ‘chaos potatoes’ have been born at Chester Zoo / Credit: Chester Zoo
Currently, the three pups are a fraction of the size of the adults, which can weigh up to 4kg, but despite their small stature, they have an unlikely relative.
Believe it or not, rock hyraxes are actually a part of the same evolutionary group as elephants, as well as sirenians, which are the family of aquatic mammals that includes dugongs and manatees.
“Hyraxes are one of those species that you have to look for, but once you’ve seen them, they are fascinating to watch,” explained Megan Carpenter, who is a Keeper at Chester Zoo.
“The pups are little chaos potatoes. They are much more energetic than their parents and sometimes get the zoomies, darting about and testing their climbing and parkour skills.
“In contrast, the adults often wedge themselves into corners and grip on to steep rock faces for hours at a time. They’re incredibly well adapted to living among rocks and are much better climbers than you might expect.”
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
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A TV channel playing Christmas films 24/7 is now back on air in the UK
Emily Sergeant
Do you think it’s too early for the ‘C word’? Never mind, you’ve already clicked on this article.
Sure, we may only be into our second full week of September, but given the fact the weather these past couple of days hasn’t exactly screamed summer, it already feels like the festive season is around the corner – but whether or not you think it’s too early to be talking about Christmas, it’ll soon be too tricky to escape from.
Especially not when the famous TV channel showing festive film favourites non-stop is now back on air in the UK.
Yes, you heard that right – Christmas films, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
If you’re ready to wave goodbye to summer, and in welcome autumn and winter with open arms, then there’s arguably no better way of getting into the festive spirit than with the long-awaited and highly-anticipated return of the TV channel that’s charmed audiences for over half a decade now.
GREAT! Christmas the UK’s biggest seasonal channel, and it’s now live on Sky, Freesat, Freeview and Virgin Media.
You can expect almost four months of back-to-back seasonal movies.
The 24-hour feel-good and free-to-air channel will be bursting with non-stop Christmas spirit, and will be showing a heartwarming lineup of festive films – including some absolute fan-favourite classics that make it to screens every year without fail, alongside some cheesy Hallmark classics, new channel premieres, and so much more.
Emily Sergeant -
24th July 2020 
