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'Low conviction rate' for dog thefts in Wales
cocker spaniel
According to DogLost, there is a 15 per cent annual rise in dog thefts across the UK.
FOI request reveals 3 per cent of cases result in charges

In the past five years, just 3 per cent of dog thefts in Wales have resulted in a prosecution, according to figures obtained by BBC News from three of the four Welsh police forces.

Figures acquired through a freedom of information (FOI) request show that between 2010 and February 2015, over 520 dogs were reported stolen but only 15 were charged.
  • South Wales Police dealt with 239 reported dog thefts, resulting in five people being charged.
  • North Wales Police had 172 reported thefts, with nine people charged.
  • Dyfed-Powys Police had 114 thefts and one person was charged.
  • Gwent Police had 38 dog thefts between 2012-14 but did not have information on how many people were charged.

According to the FOI statistics, working dogs such as lurchers and cocker spaniels, are the most common breeds stolen in Wales, alongside 'fashionable' breeds including Chihuahuas and French bulldogs.

The four police forces told BBC News that dog thefts are treated very seriously and further action will be taken if there is sufficient evidence. North Wales Police said compulsory microchipping of dogs, due to come into place in April next year, will help.

DogLost, a service which helps owners search for their missing dog, warns that thefts are on the rise. The group told BBC News it has seen a 15 per cent annual rise in crime across the UK.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.