The United Kingdom has seen a rise in pet theft, with Staffordshire Bull Terriers and tabby cats identified as the most frequently stolen breeds, according to a new report. Findings from the Pet Database Pet Theft and Abduction Report indicate that cat thefts and abductions increased by 14% last year, while dog thefts rose by 4.2%.
Dr. Daniel Allen, founder of Pet Theft Reform and an animal geographer at Keele University, compiled the data from police records. In 2025, a total of 1,700 dogs and cats were reported stolen across the UK. For dogs, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier was the most targeted breed, accounting for 8.1% of thefts. French Bulldogs and Dachshunds followed, with German Shepherds and Cocker Spaniels rounding out the top five.
Over a third of all recorded dog thefts, 36.1%, occurred at a person's home. Lancashire recorded the highest number of police-reported dog theft crimes, followed by Kent, West Yorkshire, Essex, and Northumbria.
Among cats, common tabby cats are most at risk, followed by Maine Coons, British Shorthairs, Ragdolls, and Russian Blues. In 2025, up to 507 cats were stolen or abducted nationwide. More than half of cat thefts, 56.2%, occurred within owners' homes, while 10.6% happened on streets or roads.
Essex and West Yorkshire saw the most prominent cat theft incidents, with Lancashire, Kent, and Derbyshire also reporting high numbers.
Despite the increase in reported incidents, Dr. Allen noted that pet abduction and theft remain statistically low. Approximately 20.5% of stolen dogs and 15.0% of stolen cats were later recovered and reunited with their owners. The Pet Abduction Act, enacted in May 2024, criminalized the theft of dogs and cats in England and Northern Ireland, carrying a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment, a fine, or both. However, the report suggests the act has not yet effectively curbed the rise in pet theft.
Only 1.4% of dog theft cases and 0.9% of cat theft cases resulted in charges, leading Dr. Allen to state that the low prosecution rate offers minimal deterrence to offenders. He emphasized that without stronger enforcement, pet abduction continues to be a crime with low risk and high reward.
Experts attribute the motivation behind these thefts to criminals seeking inflated prices for pets or exploiting them for illegal breeding. Some older dog breeds are also reportedly used as bait to train fighting dogs.
Dr. Allen advised pet owners to secure their properties and to never leave pets unattended in public spaces, urging them to keep dogs on a lead when out walking. The RSPCA recommends neutering pets, ensuring microchips are up-to-date with contact information, and using collars with identification tags.