Dog Thefts: What Really Happened During the COVID Pandemic
Published: July 23, 2025
Dog theft is a devastating crime, especially when pets are considered cherished family members. During the COVID-19 pandemic, media outlets painted a bleak picture of a dognapping epidemic across the UK. But did the numbers support the panic?
Reports of increased dog ownership during lockdown contributed to concerns. Battersea reported a 53% rise in adoptions, while Pets4Homes noted a 104% spike in puppy demand in May 2020. On the flip side, PDSA data suggested dog ownership had been gradually rising since 2011 rather than surging suddenly during the pandemic.
What’s indisputable is that dog prices soared. Popular breeds fetched as much as £9,000, making them tempting targets for criminals. Social distancing also changed crime patterns, reducing shoplifting and burglary but, reportedly, increasing dog theft by as much as 250% in some regions.
Understanding the Data
Dog theft isn’t a distinct offence under the Theft Act 1968. It’s logged under general theft or burglary, meaning it’s not always visible in national crime stats. The only way to assess dog theft accurately is through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to police forces.
Earlier studies found dog thefts in England and Wales rose 20% from 2015 to 2018, and another 3.5% from 2019 to 2020. DogLost, a group that helps reunite pets with owners, saw a 170% jump in stolen dog registrations in 2020 compared to 2019. However, the infamous 250% increase figure came from just one police force over two seven-month periods, not a national trend.
Trends and Regional Differences
Data collection for the pandemic period is patchy. Only 32 of 45 police forces provided data in 2020, 27 in 2021, and 23 in 2022. Still, some trends emerged. Between 2020 and 2022, reported dog thefts rose 3.7% overall. When adjusting for non-reporting forces, the real national increase may have been up to 44.2%.
Some regions saw huge spikes: Cambridgeshire (36%), Gwent (49%), and Northumbria (80%) between 2020 and 2021. Interestingly, more thefts occurred outside lockdown periods than during them, suggesting criminals took advantage of post-lockdown complacency.
Data Discrepancies
DogLost data paints a slightly different picture. It shows a 65.2% drop in dog theft reports in 2022 compared to 2020. That could be due to decreased visibility of DogLost, competition from other reporting platforms, or reluctance to share personal info due to scams.
Overall, the evidence points to an increase in dog thefts during COVID-19, driven by a surge in dog values and increased opportunity. However, the narrative of a dramatic epidemic was likely inflated by media headlines and incomplete data.
The Human and Canine Toll
Dog theft is not just a property crime. It causes immense emotional trauma for owners and distress for the dogs themselves. Sadly, few cases are resolved: less than 25% of stolen dogs are returned, and only 1%-5% of reported thefts lead to a charge.
Signs of Hope
Newer research suggests dog thefts may be declining. Direct Line reported a 21% decrease from 2,290 cases in 2023 to 1,808 in 2024. With improved legislation and awareness, pet owners may finally see justice catching up with criminals.
Final Thoughts
The pandemic created a perfect storm for dog theft — high demand, soaring prices, and distracted households. But as the data shows, reality was more nuanced than the media hysteria. The fight against dog theft continues, but better awareness, legislation, and coordinated data collection can bring about lasting change.
