Dog owners warned theft on the rise
It’s a time-honoured Melbourne tradition – taking your beloved pooch on a stroll to the cafe and having them alongside you while you run errands, but experts have warned that it could end in tragedy if you’re not careful.
Victoria
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Victoria is in the thick of a pooch-pinching pandemic.
Latest Victorian crime statistics reveal a spike in the number of dogs reported stolen in the months since COVID-19 gripped Australia.
The figures show dog thefts more than doubled in the first three months since the start of the first lockdown compared to the same time last year.
It has resulted in some dog owners exercising far more caution.
Beckie Peel, of Elwood said she no longer felt comfortable leaving her dog outside cafes or tied up during errands.
“It’s always in the back of your mind,” Mrs Peel said.
“Our dog Inca is a part of our family so to see her stolen would be heartbreaking for us.”
Mrs Peel is among the first dog-owners in Australia to trial a Melbourne-designed lockable lead and harness system aimed at deterring opportunistic thieves.
Matt McShane, the creator of Safely Secured says a sales increase showed pet owners wanted peace of mind.
“There was already anecdotal evidence to suggest specific breeds were being targeted for dodgy resales, but the latest statistics now backs this up,” Mr McShane said.
“We created a lead and harness that conveniently secures your pet without fuss, whether they are at the supermarket or dropping into a local cafe.”
The Victorian Crime Statistics data shows dog theft has reached its highest level in five years with 238 dogs reported stolen between July 2019 and June this year.
Mr McShane said sales in the product had steadily increased since its launch, even amid Melbourne’s tough COVID-19 restrictions.
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For more information on keeping your dog safe go to safely-secured.com.