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Follow the Dogwatch lead on dog theft says CLAThe success of Dogwatch in highlighting the problem of dog theft in the Thames Valley should be replicated across the South East and beyond, says the CLA. Dogwatch chairman and CLA member Michael Colston has urged people concerned about dog theft to set up their own Dogwatch schemes to tackle the problem in their area. Speaking at the CLA Game Fair last week, Mr Colston said: "The thieves do not operate within county borders. The wider we can spread the net with Dogwatch, the greater chance we have of returning stolen dogs to their owners, and catching the villains responsible." One incident particularly well illustrating Dogwatch's success involved an Oxfordshire gamekeeper's daughter, Naomi Bedingfield, whose two working spaniels were stolen from a rural estate near Henley. One was recovered two years later in Bedford, the other two and a half years later in Northampton. The latter went on to be bridesmaid at Naomi's wedding, having been recovered just in time for the big day. Both dogs were microchipped. The main targets of dog thieves are working dogs, because of their high value, but family pets have also been taken in large numbers. Dogwatch reports suspicious behaviour which may indicate a theft is being planned. Mr Colston explained: "We tell our members that when they see a snooper, they should not tell him to push off: they should engage him in conversation, get a good description of him and his vehicle together with the registration number and then tell us. Last year no fewer than 16 suspicious vehicles were reported to the police. Several were on their wanted list." CLA South East regional director Rupert Ashby said: "Michael's endeavours show just what can be done if people decide to tackle a problem together. I know this is an issue throughout the South East, from talking to CLA members across the region. For the time being, Dogwatch only covers the Thames Valley Police area; however I would encourage people from Hampshire to Kent to consider setting up their own Dogwatch. Theft of dogs is not the only crime these people are involved in, so catching them is vital. The more evidence we can glean of their activities, the more arrests will happen and the more dogs will be returned to their owners. Whatever you do, make sure your dog is microchipped." Mr Colston Added: "I would advise people to get their local MP involved, as this tends to help get the police on side. In the early days, the police tended to regard the theft of a dog as no more important than the theft of a television set. However they now understand that with the theft of a working dog the owner suffers a triple whammy: he loses one of the tools of his trade; he loses a very valuable asset; and he loses a family friend."
Dogwatch can be contacted on 01491 641668. |
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