Data analysis reveals most at risk dogs

Young toy breeds are the most likely type of dog to be stolen, a Loughborough criminologist has concluded after analysing data from an online forum of lost dogs.

Dr Louise Grove from Loughborough University analysed data from doglost.co.uk, including 457 reports of dog theft from September 2011 to August 2012.

According to Dr Grove's findings, around three quarters of the dogs stolen during this period were pedigrees and nearly half were small or toy breeds.

Half of the stolen dogs were described as puppies or young adults, though preliminary findings indicate the sex of the dog makes no difference to its chances of being stolen.

Of the 457 dogs reported stolen, just over half (54 per cent) were reunited with their owners.

Dr Grove said: "Whilst some dogs may be stolen to order, it is clear some dog theft is opportune. Owners can do a lot to minimise the chances of their dogs being taken."

During the period studied by Dr Grove, the garden was found to be the most likely place for theft to occur, with 49 per cent of the dogs being taken there.

After the garden, the most common places for dog theft were found to be the home, kennel, vehicle, farm and outside a shop.

Concluding, Dr Grove said: “Dogs remain attractive to thieves because in many cases they can be sold on quickly and are not easily traced. Compulsory microchipping of all dogs would play a huge role in reducing dog theft.”

Findings from the research were featured on BBC Radio 5 Live Investigates on Sunday, December 22.