How to Prevent Dog Theft: UK Guide
Most stolen dogs are taken from home, yet few owners see it as the risky place. Practical steps to secure yours, what the law now says, and what improves the odds of getting a stolen dog back.
Dog theft is a real worry for owners, but the risk is relatively low. When it does happen, most dogs are taken from a home or garden, so that's the most important place to secure.
How common is dog theft in the UK?
The Pet Theft & Abduction Report 2026, by Dr Daniel Allen of Keele University with Pet Database found recorded dog theft offences rose 4.2% between 2024 and 2025, to 1,085 crimes involving 1,193 dogs recorded by the police forces that supplied data. However, there are over 10 million dogs in the UK, so the chances of dog theft are low - but it is distressing enough to take precautions.
Where dogs are taken from, and how to protect yours
The report found 73.4% of recorded dog thefts in 2025 happened at homes, flats or gardens. Yet in a survey for the same report, only one in five owners believed pets were most at risk at home, and half thought public places were riskier.
Secure your garden, lock the gate and don't leave your dog alone outside, whether in the garden, outside a shop or in a car. Sturdy gate locks, sensor lights and secure boundaries all help. Check your social media privacy settings so your address can't be found, avoid posting your walking routes, and vary your routes and times now and then. Visible deterrents such as a collar tag, a GPS tracker or a sign on the gate may also put thieves off.
The most stolen dog breeds in the UK
Dogs are stolen for money, often for breeding, including puppy farming. These figures come from one insurer, so treat them as a guide rather than a national ranking.
The analysis of police forces that recorded breed found the French Bulldog was the most stolen breed in 2025, with 39 taken. Next came the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (37), crossbreeds (33), English Bulldog (27) and German Shepherd (22). French Bulldogs topped its list in both 2024 and 2025, though the count fell from 51 to 39, while Dachshund thefts more than doubled, from 7 to 16.
What the Pet Abduction Act 2024 changed
Before the new Act came in 2024, dog theft was prosecuted as property crime under the Theft Act 1968, with theft carrying up to seven years.
In England and Northern Ireland, the Pet Abduction Act 2024 received Royal Assent in May 2024 and created offences of dog abduction and cat abduction. Dog abduction covers taking a dog from someone's lawful control, or detaining a dog to keep it from them. Unlike theft, the new offences don't require proof that the thief meant to keep the dog permanently. The maximum penalty is five years in prison, a fine, or both.
The same report found police are already using the new law: the Pet Abduction Act was the classification for 33.0% of recorded dog offences in 2025. That is up from 9.5% the year before. The report's author, Dr Allen, reaches a firmer conclusion. In his view the Act has not stopped the rise in recorded pet theft, and the low charge rate gives offenders little deterrent.
A microchip won't stop a thief, but it helps bring a dog home
A microchip is a permanent implant that a vet or warden scans, and it holds only a number, not your details and it's not a tracker. Your name, phone number and address sit on a database linked to that number, and that record is what reunites you with a found dog. It's the record that goes out of date, not the chip, so keep it current whenever you move or change your phone number. Pet Database's guide to Dog microchipping covers what's required.
If your dog is stolen, ask your microchip database to mark the pet as stolen and give them the crime reference number. The report found 20.5% of stolen dogs were recovered in 2025, up from 18.3% the year before. Unfortunately, most stolen dogs don't come home.
If your dog is taken, report it with as much detail as possible and note the police reference number. Call 999 if a crime is happening right now, and 101 for non-emergencies; theft can also be reported online.
Before you report a theft, check the dog hasn't escaped or been taken for a walk by someone else. Officers will want the dog's name, microchip number, description, when it was last seen, and details of anyone seen acting suspiciously. Pet Database's first-hour guide walks you through it.
Check your dog's record today, so whoever finds a stray or stolen dog can reach you fast. If your dog ever goes missing, report your pet missing with Pet Database straight away.
