Dog Thefts in the UK Surge, with XL Bullies Among Top Targets

The UK witnesses a 6% increase in dog thefts, with English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and newly banned XL Bullies being the most stolen breeds.

XL bullies, now banned, were the third most stolen dog breed in the UK last year, highlighting a surge in thefts.
London remains the dog theft capital of the UK for the ninth consecutive year, with the Metropolitan Police recording the highest number of thefts.
Only one in six stolen dogs were successfully returned to their owners in 2023, marking the lowest recovery rate since 2015.
The rise in dog thefts across the UK is attributed to the high resale value of popular breeds, with English and French Bulldogs fetching around £3,000.
Experts call for stronger legal measures to combat dog theft, emphasizing the need to treat pet abduction more seriously than property theft.