BY ALEXIA JAMES This is the fifth year that this magazine has backed the campaign to increase sentences for those engaged in the wicked act of dog theft. Previous requests can be found here, here, here and here. A prospective Police Commissioner discusses the subject here. Over four years ago I wrote: I want You, the Reader, to consider the effect on the dog. On … Continue reading Publish Dog Thieves’ Faces
BY RUPERT MATTHEWS With a dog of my own, the endearing Mr Fluffles shown in the photo, I wholly appreciate how heart-wrenching the theft of your animal can be. Pets after all are members of the family. In the last few months of lockdown, there has been an alarming rise in pet theft here in rural areas of Leicestershire and Rutland – but the same … Continue reading Dog Thieves Stalk Our Countryside
VICAR Dear Readers, I wish You all a blessed and peaceful Sunday. I hope the sun breaks through wherever You are and that You get to spend some time outside at this beautiful time of year. I have watched on with admiration at Country Squire Magazine’s Dog Theft Awareness Campaign. I have seen with my own eyes how traumatised victims of this crime become. I … Continue reading Prayer for a Lost Pet
BY RALF HEED At last, a campaign discerning pooches everywhere can get behind. These delightful Country Squire Magazine people have recommended a petition asking the Government to treat the theft of dogs – dognapping – as the shameful crime it is. Before I met my human family, I spent some time in a home for hounds who had fallen on hard times. Of course, all of the … Continue reading Heed Ralf
CSM POLL Because a dog is classified in law as no more than a chattel or possession, UK magistrates’ sentencing guidelines treat stealing a dog the same as stealing an old bike or a lawnmower. Starting with a conditional discharge, a ‘Band B’ fine (about £100) currently results in possibly 20 hours community service (or 18 weeks in prison for a repeat offender). On the … Continue reading What Punishment for Dog Thieves?
CSM DOG THEFT CAMPAIGN Dear Lord Chancellor, The Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP, Dog & Pet Theft During the time of the Coalition Government a petition calling for tougher penalties for dog and pet thieves received tens of thousands of signatures. The petition called for stronger and tougher pet theft legislation to increase the punishment to those involved in the theft of a dog, cat, … Continue reading Dog Theft: An Open Letter to Liz Truss
BY JANET SMITH I pulled out the Christmas stockings from the attic last night to give them a good dust off. I took them down into the lounge to place them beside the fire in readiness for Christmas Eve. Even though my husband is 46 now, he still enjoys getting a stocking and our children 14, 12 and 9 also enjoy the experience, so I hang one … Continue reading One Empty Stocking
