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11
Dec 2021
Dog thefts more than double in Harrogate district
The number of dog thefts in the Harrogate district more than doubled in 2020 compared with 2019, according to police statistics.
The figures were released after a member of the public made a Freedom of Information request to North Yorkshire Police.
They show there were eight thefts in 2020 compared with three in 2019. The three previous years saw just seven thefts in total.
Although the numbers are small, the 2020 figure represents a significant increase.
The Harrogate district also had the highest number of thefts in North Yorkshire in 2020, with Scarborough and Ryedale the closest with five.
The figures also revealed only two thefts ended in a person being charged. Most reports didn't lead to court action either because no suspect was identified or there were evidential difficulties.
A table showing the number of crimes where a dog has been recorded as stolen. Photograph: North Yorkshire Police
Border Collies and Pugs were the most commonly stolen breeds in North Yorkshire, with 10 and eight thefts recorded respectively between 2016 and 2021.
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The police recently appointed its first officers dedicated to dealing specifically with pet theft.
Amongst other duties, the officers will conduct reassurance visits, in which they accompany pet theft victims on walks to help them feel more confident when walking their dogs.
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