THOUSANDS of lost and stolen pets are living with new owners who do not know their former families are desperately looking for them.
In the four years to 2018, there was a 51 per cent increase in dog theft — from 1,294 stolen in 2014 to 1,959.
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And while it became a legal requirement to microchip dogs in April 2016 — with owners facing fines of £500 for failing to comply — it is not compulsory for vets to scan each new patient.
There are more than 120,000 animals reported missing or stolen in the UK.
Campaigner Debbie Matthews, from Vets Get Scanning, is calling for a change in the law, saying chips are worthless if they are not scanned each time a new pet visits a vet.
She said: “People assume if their pet is chipped they are protected, because vets, the Government and rescue centres all say it’s vital.
“But it’s only best practice that they should be scanned. Vets don’t do it and owners are desperately begging the Government for this to be compulsory.
“Pet theft is increasing every year but prosecutions are down. It means that thousands of dogs are living in new homes while owners are desperately searching for them.
“Even if you’re able to trace a pet who has been found and kept or rehomed from a rescue, and prove that they are yours via the microchip, you’re then faced with the heartache of prising them away from their new owner.
“It could all be avoided with a scan at their first visit to the vet.”
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Andy Smith lost his Siberian husky Murphy when he slipped his collar on a walk in Bradford in 2015. After neighbours saw him being bundled into a van, Andy feared he was lost for ever.
He launched an appeal on social media, registered him missing on doglost.co.uk and three months later, he had a call from the RSPCA in Manchester. Murphy, now eight, had been taken in by a family who could no longer care for him.
Thankfully, the centre scanned him and called Andy. Andy, 48, a warehouse supervisor, now runs Murphy’s Army, a charity helping pets find their way home, and has reunited horses, dogs, cats and even peacocks with owners.
He said: “We were so lucky Murphy was scanned by the RSPCA. He may well have seen a vet while he was missing.
COMPULSORY SCANNING
“But no one checked and cross-referenced the chip data or they’d have been alerted he’d been stolen.
“There’s a massive piece of the jigsaw missing when it comes to microchip laws.
“What is the point in having them if the first pet professional they’re most likely to encounter, the vet, isn’t obliged to scan them?”
Andy and Debbie are supporting a petition to make scanning compulsory for every dog that is presented at vets, rescue shelters and kennels.
Star of the week
PENNY the English bulldog had to battle against the odds to survive.
She was taken in by Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary in Bristol with a severe bacterial disease, injuries from multiple cesareans and a painful eye condition.
But with expert care she recovered and now lives with Michael Coates, 65, a retired warehouse manager, and his wife Tania, 46, in Horfield, Bristol.
The sanctuary’s general manager Sarah Schranz says: “Penny was such a brave girl, excited to explore the world and meet new people. She came out of each op gazing up at us with love.”
Pet vet
PET Vet SEAN McCORMACK, head vet at tailored food firm tails.com, is on a mission to help the nation’s pets.
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Richard Benson is worried about getting a border collie because he doesn’t have a gardenRichard Benson, from Dumfries, lives in a flat but wants to get a dog – ideally a border collie. He asks: “Is it cruel getting a dog when you don’t have a garden?”
Sean says: “Keeping dogs in flats isn’t cruel if you make the time to bring them out a lot for exercise and interaction, but find a breed that will thrive with your lifestyle and be realistic for the dog’s sake.
“Border collies are one of the most intelligent breeds and bred to work long hours, herding sheep.
“If not given heaps of exercise and mental stimulation they can develop neurotic behavioural issues. So I’d seriously reconsider it in favour of a more relaxed breed if you’re going to have to leave them at home in a confined space at times.”
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Sally Jewell, from Coventry, has a labrador called Bridget, who has really bad breath. She says: “I feed Bridget dry food and give her dental sticks. I’ve tried brushing her teeth but Bridget goes nuts. Should I get her teeth cleaned at the vets?”
Sean says: “In short, yes. Dogs that aren’t getting their teeth brushed on a regular basis will inevitably develop bad breath due to plaque and tartar which can lead to gum disease. Even with dental chews and a good diet, most dogs will need dental cleaning at the vets once or twice throughout their life.
“Labradors like Bridget aren’t usually the worst affected, but some of the flatter faced breeds like pugs or bulldogs and toy breeds like Yorkies with tiny mouths or overcrowded teeth often need a cleaning every couple of years to prevent problems like gum disease, tooth loss and infection.
“I’d advise booking a check-up with your local vet or vet nurse so they can examine Bridget’s mouth and advise what is best.”
- Do you need the Pet Vet’s help? Email sundayfeatures@the-sun.co.uk and you and your pet could feature in The Sun on Sunday.
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