Seven cocker spaniel puppies and their mother stolen from Cottenham in latest dog thefts to hit Cambridgeshire
A family of cocker spaniel puppies have been stolen from a caravan in Cottenham during the latest in a series of dog thefts to hit Cambridgeshire.
Thieves broke into the caravan in Setchell Drove between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Wednesday (July 22) and took the litter of seven puppies, valued at up to £2,000 each, and their mother. They also stole a wallet.
Detective Sergeant Ashley Ryan, of Cambridgeshire police’s southern burglary team, said: “The owners are utterly heartbroken and extremely concerned for the welfare of their dogs.
“I’m urging anyone who has been offered a similar looking dog, or knows someone who has, to get in touch.”
More than 20 dogs, including many cocker spaniels, have been stolen since May.
The Cambridge Independent told earlier this month how Mary Goldsmith, 73, from Cambridge, was left distraught after her three dogs, Grace, Holly and Alice, were stolen overnight at Cosy Kennels in Stretham.
In other incidents:
- May 3 - two cocker spaniels were stolen from Bluntisham, but were found and returned to their rightful owners following a warrant in Willingham on June 5
- May 13 - a cocker spaniel was stolen from Stow Cum Quy
- May 21 - a spaniel was stolen from Newborough, Peterborough, but returned after a social media campaign by the owners
- June 11 - nine dogs were stolen from Horningsea - one was found close by shortly after
- June 23 - a cocker spaniel was stolen from Wilburton
- July 3 - there was an attempt to steal dogs in Haddenham
A rise in the prices paid for dogs is believed to be behind the thefts.
Detectives advised dog owners to:
- Keep an ID tag on your dog at all times
- Lock gates using bolts at the top and bottom, along with a heavy-duty padlock.
- Ensure there are no places where dogs or other animals can escape or be pulled through, if they are left in a back garden.
- Never leave your pet in the garden unattended
- Fit a bell or gate alarm so it makes a sound when someone opens it
- Purchase a driveway alarm so you are alerted to any visitors, these can also be used in rear gardens
- Make sure your dog is microchipped and their details are updated so that they can be returned if they are stolen and subsequently found.
- Avoid leaving a dog tied up outside a shop or left alone in a car, even for a few minutes
- Take lots of photographs of your dog to prove ownership if it is stolen and then found.
- Report dog theft to police straight away.
Anyone with information on the latest theft in Cottenham is asked to call police on 101 quoting reference 35/48592/20 alternatively report online www.cambs.police.uk/report.
Read more
Cambridge widow’s despair after her three dogs are stolen amid spate of pet thefts
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