A dog owner has revealed the frightening experience of fending off thieves who tried to snatch her pet while out on a walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There has been a reported 170% rise in dog thefts in the last year, which has meant that some owners are no longer walking their dogs in public for fear of them being stolen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leanne Lewis, from Cardiff, literally had to fight off an attacker while out on a walk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“There was a guy hiding behind a car, tried to grab the dog, then I ran up to the guy to try and take a photo of him,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“He went to punch me. I started chasing him then he jumped in the car and almost ran me over”. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leanne says that she is now worried about walking her dog, and opts to use the garden and hallway instead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another woman, who didn’t want to be named, said she’s so concerned about her dog being stolen, she hasn’t walked it for three months<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I’ve never been so frightened in my life. I’ve never had a problem before but the thought of her being stolen from me terrifies me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I’m not being paranoid. It’s actually happening”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mariella Savage, a vet, said that a lack of exercise for dogs is causing serious health problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Its only when owners start taking their dogs out more they say, ‘Wow my dog is a very different dog now’,” she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We’re seeing so much obesity. It’s estimated that over half of the UK pet population are obese and I think it’s definitely more than that (now), which obviously has its own health complications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It is a struggle at the moment for the veterinary profession.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She also said that a lack of exercise can lead to dogs becoming aggressive: “We’re now seeing them more boisterous and less well socialised which can lead to aggression.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wendy Andrew is a pet bereavement councilor who said that this level of fear is preventing people from living their life: “They’re depriving their pet of exercise and socialisation as well” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She described a “cycle of negative thinking” for owners. She recommends people apply a ‘TLC’ rule whereby you ask ‘Is it true, is it logical, is it constructive?’ <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The answer here would be no,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I’m heartbroken that these beautiful living beings are being treated as a commodity.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Former police officer Sian Smith, who runs a kennel in Pembrokeshire, said that sanctions for dog thieves are not tough enough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The maximum is a 6 month sentence,” she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It’s just classed as theft. So, it would be the same as if you pinched a couple of cans of beer in a supermarket. The sentence should be far higher.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Wales Police and the RSPCA are advising people to walk their dogs in pairs and report any suspicious behaviour. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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