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| Thieves 'targeting bull terriers' | Thieves 'targeting bull terriers' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Thieves may be specifically targeting Staffordshire Bull Terriers, a report obtained by the BBC says. | Thieves may be specifically targeting Staffordshire Bull Terriers, a report obtained by the BBC says. |
| The Metropolitan Police document shows there was a 74% rise in stolen dogs across the London area last year, from 239 to 417, with many taken as puppies. | The Metropolitan Police document shows there was a 74% rise in stolen dogs across the London area last year, from 239 to 417, with many taken as puppies. |
| Staffordshire Bull Terriers made up 56% of all the dogs stolen. | Staffordshire Bull Terriers made up 56% of all the dogs stolen. |
| The report, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, says some criminals may be using the dogs to guard "criminal assets". | The report, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, says some criminals may be using the dogs to guard "criminal assets". |
| The worst areas for the thefts have been Croydon, Bromley, Greenwich, Haringey, Lambeth and Hackney. | The worst areas for the thefts have been Croydon, Bromley, Greenwich, Haringey, Lambeth and Hackney. |
| In the financial years 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 respectively, 228 and 239 dogs were stolen. | In the financial years 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 respectively, 228 and 239 dogs were stolen. |
| That figure rose to 417 in 2005/2006. | That figure rose to 417 in 2005/2006. |
| Met Police report [192kb] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | Met Police report [192kb] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here |
| The report recommends further research into why Staffordshire Bull Terriers are so heavily targeted. | The report recommends further research into why Staffordshire Bull Terriers are so heavily targeted. |
| It quotes a dog website which says the dogs are "exceedingly protective of their family and make excellent guardians and watchdogs" and "excel in agility and obedience". | It quotes a dog website which says the dogs are "exceedingly protective of their family and make excellent guardians and watchdogs" and "excel in agility and obedience". |
| These factors - along with information on dogs being used in crime - suggest that some Staffordshire Bull Terriers could be used to commit crime, the report says. | These factors - along with information on dogs being used in crime - suggest that some Staffordshire Bull Terriers could be used to commit crime, the report says. |
| The report states: "There is the possibility that such dogs could be used by criminals such as drug dealers or stolen property handlers to protect their criminal assets at various locations including homes, outbuildings or cars." | The report states: "There is the possibility that such dogs could be used by criminals such as drug dealers or stolen property handlers to protect their criminal assets at various locations including homes, outbuildings or cars." |
| 'Macho image' | 'Macho image' |
| Veronica Brown, of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed Council, says the breed's good nature - which runs contrary to popular opinion - may make them easier to steal. | Veronica Brown, of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed Council, says the breed's good nature - which runs contrary to popular opinion - may make them easier to steal. |
| She said: "I think many dogs get stolen and I think, yes, there is probably more inclination to steal Staffordshire Bull Terriers. | She said: "I think many dogs get stolen and I think, yes, there is probably more inclination to steal Staffordshire Bull Terriers. |
| MOST STOLEN DOGS 1. Stafford Bull Terrier - 56%2. Rottweiler - 5%3. German Shepherd - 4%4. Cocker Spaniel - 2%5. Jack Russell - 2% Source: Met Police report | MOST STOLEN DOGS 1. Stafford Bull Terrier - 56%2. Rottweiler - 5%3. German Shepherd - 4%4. Cocker Spaniel - 2%5. Jack Russell - 2% Source: Met Police report |
| "They're so people orientated that they will go with anyone, contrary to their reputation. They're happy to go off with people. They just love people. | "They're so people orientated that they will go with anyone, contrary to their reputation. They're happy to go off with people. They just love people. |
| "Because of their macho image, people think they're going to look macho with a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, but the dogs would far rather be curled up by the fire." | "Because of their macho image, people think they're going to look macho with a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, but the dogs would far rather be curled up by the fire." |
| The police document notes that thefts of dogs from people's homes seems to occur when they have advertised dogs, particularly puppies, for sale. | The police document notes that thefts of dogs from people's homes seems to occur when they have advertised dogs, particularly puppies, for sale. |
| This can often result in several dogs being stolen at once. | This can often result in several dogs being stolen at once. |
| Sometimes several suspects will attend a venue to view some puppies, and while one distracts the owner, another takes them. | Sometimes several suspects will attend a venue to view some puppies, and while one distracts the owner, another takes them. |
| Dogs have also been stolen from locked cars and from pet shops. | Dogs have also been stolen from locked cars and from pet shops. |
| There were 24 cases of a dog actually being used to commit a crime, including 11 muggings and 11 assaults, according to the report. | There were 24 cases of a dog actually being used to commit a crime, including 11 muggings and 11 assaults, according to the report. |
| In the 18 cases where a description was given, 10 were Staffordshire Bull Terriers and four were Pitbulls. | In the 18 cases where a description was given, 10 were Staffordshire Bull Terriers and four were Pitbulls. |
| Some of your comments are below: | |
| I own three Staffordshire Bull Terriers. I was once followed home after a walk by a shifty looking bloke. I thought I was safe once I was in the house. I let the three dogs into the back garden which has double gates at the bottom which are always bolted. I carried on about my bother and then when I looked out I noticed the back gates were open. I rushed out and to my relief the dogs were just outside. I shouted them and they came running but as they did, a black car which was parked up at the end of my street sped off. I have no doubt in my mind that whoever was in the car had opened my gates and tried to coax my dogs to their car. Luckily enough, they are softies who won't venture far.Sarah, St Helens | |
| When walking my two Staffordshires I often get asked by people if I intend to mate them to sell on the puppies as I have one dog and one bitch who are both all white which is a rare colour. More often than not the people who are asking are a little on the dodgy looking side and I even vary my return home and take detours if I believe I'm being followed for fear of having my dogs stolen while I'm out. They are loveable dogs and are very much part of the family and it worries me that they will be targeted by criminals. I plan to get them micro chipped asap.Neil, Manchester | |
| I don't know why people risk stealing dogs - there's lots of Staffordshire bull terriers in the local pounds for rehoming up here. As with all fashion accessories people get sick of them and dump them. Meanwhile others are breeding them just as fast as possible to make a quick buck... | |
| My rescue dog is a mongrel (collie x), a lovely, friendly, playful, pretty dog with no fashionable desirability whatsoever - but I love her. JB, Newcastle | |
| I own a 10 month old Staffordshire Bull Terrier who is mainly white. I feel it is a threat when I walk him and can't even tie him up outside a shop as I feel someone would take him. My staffy loves people and could easily get into the wrong hands.Nicole, Lincoln | |
| My Staffordshire Bull Terrier went missing on the 17th August 2006 - a black and white bitch, very friendly, microchipped - from the garden in the Callands area of Warrington in Cheshire. Cannot believe I still haven't got her back I have tried all avenues to try and locate her but to no avail. What amazes me is that during my search I have been informed on many an occasion that not all vets, dog wardens and the like scan any dogs that are found or are new to a veterinary surgery. What is the point of having dogs microchipped if no-one bothers to scan them?Wendy Crank, Warrington Cheshire | |
| I have two staffies and they're brilliant dogs. They are family pets and my three kids love them. including my 14 month old baby. But every time I walk them I get looks off of yobs and young men who I think are looking to steal them. I've had to have a large gate and fence on my garden to make sure they don't get stolen and I don't walk them or let them out after 8 pm. The problem is that all these rappers and musicians use them in music videos and give them the wrong image which makes the yobos think they look cool and hard if they have one.David Easton, Faversham, Kent, England | |
| Staffords are hopeless watchdogs! My dog pays no attention to people approaching or entering my house apart from wagging his tail! This is typical of the breed. They may look tough but you won't find a more affectionate breed. Don't judge the breed by some dodgy owners!!Tom Kelly, Bathgate West Lothian | |
| I own a Rottweiler, which is shown to be the second most popular for thieves. I will always make sure I have a mobile phone with me should I ever need any help, for whatever reason, whilst on a dog walk. Make sure your dog is microchipped and try to walk in busy places and NEVER leave them in the car unattended - for reasons of theft and the heat that builds in a car even on a dull day.M Clarke, Worthing | |
| Have you ever had a dog stolen? Do you own a Staffordshire Bull Terrier that you are worried about? Send us your comments. | Have you ever had a dog stolen? Do you own a Staffordshire Bull Terrier that you are worried about? Send us your comments. |