Professionals behind doggy crimewave
29 Jul 05
Dog-snatching is Scotland's fastest growing crime
A canine crimewave has hit Scotland, with the number of dogs stolen rising dramatically in the past two years from an average of one a month to 15.
Animal welfare organisations believe that many thefts are opportunist but that professionals are also becoming involved.
Most stolen dogs are snatched and sold for between £30 and £50 at car boot sales and in pubs. However some are being held for ransom, fuelled by the growing number of pet owners offering to pay big rewards for their return of their beloved pets.
Even the Scottish Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) was hit when thieves broke into a dog home in Glasgow to steal a bull mastiff.