Having your dog stolen can be one of the most traumatic things that can happen to a dog owner, but it’s a sad truth that in the UK.
Around 70% of all pets stolen in the UK are dogs, with over 2,000 dogs reported stolen from their owners every year.
Criminals will take every opportunity to steal a dog if they can - especially if your dog’s breed is particularly sought after - as they’re seen as an easy way to make money.
Hopefully, it will never happen to you. Still, if you do find yourself in this unfortunate situation, there are steps you should take immediately to ensure the best chance of having your pooch safely returned. In honour of Dog Theft Awareness Day, here’s our guide for what to do if your pooch is stolen, as well as some tips to deter potential dog theft as much as possible.
What to do if your dog has been stolen: first steps
Here’s what to do if your dog cannot be found and you believe they may have been stolen:
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Try to stay calm. Though this will be understandably stressful for you, it’s really important to stay as calm as you can so you can carry out the next steps clearly and quickly.
Be sure to recheck any other possibilities, i.e they're hiding, stuck in a tight spot in the house or garden. Take some breaths to ground yourself, and get ready to call the police if your pooch is definitely missing and your suspect they have been stolen.
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Contact the police. Call the police to alert them of your dog’s suspected theft. They will ask you all the details about your dog’s breed, age and description and where they were last seen. If you saw the thieves, have a description of them ready and any notes about the vehicle they made an escape in, including the registration place, model, and make if you were able to see it.
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Contact shelters and vets. If your dog has been recovered, they will likely be taken to an animal shelter or vet surgery. Research each one in your area and get in touch to leave your details - they will then be able to contact you should your dog be taken there.
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Notify local animal welfare organisations. If you have local pet welfare charities, get in touch with them to report your dog’s disappearance. They can get in touch with you right away should they come across your dog.
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Post on social media. Get the word out in as many social media groups as you know - including local neighbourhood groups, pet groups or community noticeboards, and ask people to like and share the post. However, if you are utilising social media, do so at your own risk and be wary of scammers and those looking to take advantage of you and any rewards you have in place.
Also, once you've posted about your stolen dog, be sure to search for keywords around 'found dog' or 'stolen dog' in your local area, to check if anyone has found your dog and are also posting on social media to find the rightful owner.
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Put up posters in your area. Make a simple poster with a recent, clear photo of your dog, their name and your phone number and stick them up on telegraph poles, noticeboards and in shop window around the area your dog was stolen.
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Consider using a pet recovery service. There are a number of pet recovery services in the UK that help owners reunite with their stolen pets, such as Animal Search UK or Happy Tails Detective.
They can help you send out alerts to relevant animal shelters and local businesses, offer you support, and help spread the word on social media. If you're also working with the police, be sure to inform them on other platforms you're using to track down your stolen dog.
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Keep checking listings and social media posts. Once you’ve reported your dog stolen to as many online services and community boards, keep checking them for updates - you never know who might have information to follow up!
What happens if my stolen dog is found?
If your dog is found, be sure to let the police know - they may be able to accompany you to retrieve the dog. They can then question whoever found the dog for any possible information about the theft. When your dog is back with you, take them to a vet for a medical check-up, and of course, shower them lots of love and affection!
What if my stolen dog isn’t found?
It can be devastating as days pass and your pooch still isn’t found. Don’t lose hope - keep checking and posting online and keeping in touch with shelters in your local area and putting up posters. Some dogs are found weeks or even months later after being stolen.
What can help prevent dog theft?
Dog theft is commonly an unpredictable, opportunistic event where you as the owner cannot be blamed. However, there are some steps you can take to do all you can to keep your dog safe and help deter criminals from trying their chances in the first place.
Here are some useful methods for preventing your pooch from being wrongfully taken from you.
Keeping your dog safe and protected at home
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Secure your garden. Make sure your garden is completely secured, especially if you’re prone to leaving your dog outside sometimes to relax on their own. Be sure to identify any escape routes, lock gates and be sure it’s not easy to jump the border. Perhaps consider installing hedges, walls or a wire fence.
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Don’t leave back doors open. Even if you’re at home, an open door can be an easy opportunity for a thief. If you want your dog to get some air, take them for a walk on the lead or let them sniff around outside under watched supervision - don’t let them walk in and out unattended.
Alternatively, you can install a gate that stretches across the door so your pooch can safely enjoy the fresh air from home.
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Consider CCTV outside your home. Security cameras or video doorbells outside your home can act as a deterrent and provide valuable footage if anything suspicious happens.
Keeping your dog safe and protected outside the home
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Don’t leave your dog unsupervised. Whether in the front garden, tied up outside a shop, in the car by themselves, or even in another room with an open door; an unattended dog is a vulnerable dog. Don’t take the risk, keep them within sight as much as possible!
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Be wary of questioning strangers. It’s nice to chat with other dog owners, but some strangers may be probing in their questioning - particularly if they ask about whether your dog is for sale. Don’t be afraid to cut conversation with anyone who raises alarm bells.
Also be wary of those asking or offering to hold your dog. It might seem like a kind gesture from another dog lover, but they may have an ulterior motive.
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Mix up your dog walks. Though it’s nice to have a routine, prolific thieves may target a dog by sussing your usual dog route. Try going a different way each day to confuse these criminals.
Accessories that can help keep your dog safe
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Microchipping is one of the best ways to prove ownership if your dog is lost or stolen, and makes it easier for people to track you if your dog is recovered from thieves
It’s illegal not to chip your pooch, and you could be fined if your details aren’t always up to date in the microchip registry. Make sure all your dog’s information is present and correct.
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Train your dog in effective recall. Teaching your dog to come back immediately when called can help prevent them from wandering too far or being lured away by untrustworthy people.
Practice in different environments with distractions, and use delicious dog treats as a high reward or praise to reinforce good behaviour. A strong recall reduces the risk of your dog running off and makes it harder for a thief to grab them.
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Socialise your pooch. This means your dog should know not to be overly sociable or trusting towards strangers. The more you’ve trained your dog, the more they will stick with you and know that they’re never entirely safe with anyone who tries to take them away when you’re not present. A well-trained pooch won’t get into a car they don’t recognise and even show aggression to anyone who forces them to get in.
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Take lots of photos of your pooch. We doubt we need to encourage this one, but having multiple photos of your dog at different angles can be invaluable for police searches. If your dog has any specific markings, make sure you get shots of those.
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Try a GPS tracking collar. A GPS collar can help you track your dog in real time using an app on your phone. This kind of technology is invaluable if they go missing - you could even have a tag on your dog’s collar saying ‘chipped and tracked’ to deter thieves.
FAQs
Is dog theft covered under my pet insurance?
You’d have to check the details of your own policy, however, many comprehensive coverage policies will reimburse the costs of advertising for your lost dog. If your dog is stolen and never returned, you’ll often get a payment, especially if your dog is a pedigree breed
Are some breeds of dog more likely to be stolen?
Though any dog is at risk of being stolen, there are different reasons why some dogs are more susceptible to it than others. Chihuahuas and toy dogs, for instance, are easily grabbed and transported, while pedigree dog breeds will get a thief a higher payment if they sell the dog on. Bully dog breeds are currently likely to be stolen in the UK, perhaps due to being legally restricted in recent years. Unsurprisingly, puppies are always at higher risk of theft - they’re easier to physically steal and are very desirable for selling on.
How many stolen dogs are returned to their owners?
Sadly, there’s a very slim likelihood of a stolen dog getting back to their original owner. Only 6% of stolen pets are returned home again, according to research by the BBC. This is why it’s so extremely important to keep your dog safe and within sight at all times.
Train your pooch excellent recall skills with the use of healthy and delicious dog treats. Our probiotic meaty treats are made with natural, gut-friendly ingredients to give your dog as part of a nutritious, well-balanced diet.
References
'1. ‘12 UK Dognapping & Dog Theft Statistics to Know in 2025’ -Dogster, 2025.
2. 'Pet theft: Six percent of animals reported stolen recovered' - BBC
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