Chief Inspector Rob Curtis will tackle the rise in pet theft in Devon and Cornwall.

Chief Inspector Rob Curtis will tackle crime in Devon and Cornwall

Devon and Cornwall Police has appointed a specialist officer to tackle the rise in dog theft.

Chief Inspector Rob Curtis said that he wants to reassure people that his force takes dog theft very seriously, adding:

“The theft of a beloved pet causes major distress to the owners, and although dog theft is very rare, we want people to be aware and to take safe precautions to help protect their dogs from this crime”.

The move follows a 28 per cent increase in dog theft cases in Devon and Cornwall, police said, with a total of 77 stolen dogs across the year 2020/21. Nationally, the figure is reported to be much higher, with dog theft cases rising by 170 per cent between 2019 and 2020.

Alison Hernandez, police and crime commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “Losing a beloved animal to thieves is truly devastating. I want our communities, police officers and our partners to be intolerant of all crime, including pet theft. Together we can ensure these criminals are fearful of being caught, and law-abiding residents need not fear becoming victims.”

Inspector Curtis urged all dog owners to visit their vet and have their pet microchipped with all contact details kept up to date.

“Microchipping is not only a legal requirement but is essential in helping to return pets back to their rightful owners,” he said. “We want to make sure that we can reunite any lost or stolen dogs back with their families as quickly as possible”.