A staggering 1,626 dogs were reported stolen across the UK in 2025, equating to approximately four thefts per day, according to research by SEO Backlinks. Of these, only 344 were recovered, meaning nearly four in five stolen dogs did not return to their owners.
Most Stolen Dog Breeds
French Bulldogs were the most commonly stolen breed in 2025, followed by Staffordshire Bull Terriers, crossbreeds, English Bulldogs, and German Shepherds. The data highlights particular anxiety for owners of these breeds.
Top 10 Police Areas for Dog Thefts
The Metropolitan Police area recorded the highest number of dog theft reports in 2025, with 214 dogs stolen. This covers Greater London (excluding the City of London) and its 8.6 million residents. Other areas with high theft rates include West Yorkshire (114), Kent (109), and Lancashire (107).
Lancashire saw the sharpest rise among the top 10, with reports increasing from an estimated 41 in 2024 to 107 in 2025—a 161% jump. Hertfordshire and Humberside also experienced large annual increases, rising by 60% and 43% respectively.
Kent remained among the worst-hit areas despite a 28% decline from 152 to 109 reports. West Yorkshire was almost unchanged, with 114 reported stolen dogs in 2025 compared to 113 in 2024.
Full Top 10 List (2025)
- Metropolitan Police: 214 reported stolen dogs, down 10% from 2024
- West Yorkshire: 114, up 1%
- Kent: 109, down 28%
- Lancashire: 107, up 161%
- Northumbria: 68, up 10%
- Thames Valley: 62, down 9%
- Hertfordshire: 56, up 60%
- Police Scotland: 53, down 64%
- Humberside: 50, up 43%
- Hampshire: 49, down 9%
Impact of the Pet Abduction Act
The figures follow the Pet Abduction Act coming into force in England and Northern Ireland in 2024, which made pet theft a specific criminal offence. However, the law does not remove the need for owners to keep records, microchip details, and local alerts up to date.
Owners are urged not to leave dogs tied up outside shops, unattended in vehicles, or visible in unsecured gardens. Using GPS trackers, locked gates, varying walking routes, and quickly reporting thefts to police and microchip databases can help reduce risk.
