Dog thefts (FOI)

Request

Please can you provide any statistics on how many reports there have been of stolen dogs in Jersey over the past 10 years, broken down by year?

Response

There have been six reports of stolen dogs since 2008; three in 2009, two in 2012 and one in 2013.

A dog was actually stolen in only one case. In three cases the dispute was between partners / ex-partners or other family members over ownership of the dog. In one case a dog slipped its leash outside a shop and was found a little while later, and in the final case, a family friend had taken the dog for a walk without the knowledge of the owner.

In 2009, a 70 year old carer left the employ of her 90 year old employer. She had grown fond of the employer’s pet dog and took it with her, back to the UK.

The carer and the dog were traced and the dog was reunited with the owner. No charges were brought.