Are you Pet Detectives? Do you investigate the theft of pets?

Does Titan investigate the theft of family pets?

Are Titan Pet Detectives and do you offer family pet investigation services? This is a question that we are asked by prospective clients more and more often. In May 2021, the current Home Secretary, Priti Patel, described this as “a shocking crime” and launched a Pet Theft Task Force. The theft of a loved pet is a heart-breaking experience and is the loss of a family member. Despite the humorous 1994 film, Ace Ventura, The Pet Detective played by Jim Carey, this is a serious crime which is on the rise. UK Police forces have a 2% success rate in detecting pet snatching, so 98% of are never found, which is shockingly poor.

In 2021, the number of dogs stolen rose by 13 percent across the UK to 2,760. This is the highest level since the analysing of theft rates in 2015. This equates to 53 dogs being stolen every week in 2021, which is nearly eight every day. When the prices of dogs decreased in 2022, an estimated 2,160 dogs were reported stolen across the UK. This equates to six dogs being snatched per day.

So, what can we do to prevent the theft of our pets?

• Ensure as per the law that your dog is microchipped.
• Keep your details up to date on the microchip database if any of the information changes.
• Ensure your dog has a collar with a tag containing your contact number.
• Keep recent images of your dog so that these can be shared if required.
• If you utilise a dog walker whilst you’re at work or a dog carer whilst on holiday, then ensure you utilise a reputable company. Check their reviews on Google or others such as Trust Pilot, identify when the company was established or incorporated and ensure they are insured.
• Work on your dog’s recall skills so that they will come back to you on command.
•  If your dog is unlikely to recall on command, then don’t allow them off the lead in an unfamiliar or large open space.
• Don’t leave your dog in an unattended vehicle or outside a shop on their own.
• Keep your dog in view if alone within your garden or if they are off the lead in an open space.

What do I do if my pet goes missing?

• If you believe your dog has been stolen, then immediately contact the Police and give them as much information as you have. It may be that you witnessed the theft, so a description of the offender(s) and any vehicle details such as registration number will be pertinent. Ring 999 if it is happening there and then or just occurred. If you are informed hours after the event, then it is not an emergency, so use 101.
• Immediately search your home and local area.
• Inform the microchip database by telephone of the theft in case your pet is taken to a vet or the thief attempts to register the chip.
• Inform the local Dog Warden.
• Register your pet as stolen on social media forums and websites such as Animal Search UK.

The unfortunate likelihood is that the Police will not take the case seriously, hence the 2% detection rate. If this is the case or not, Titan’s Pet Detectives can help! Titan has nine offices from London to Manchester, so we have national reach. We will ensure that your instruction is of immediate importance by allocating an investigator solely to investigate your case expeditiously. We will work tirelessly to lawfully gather and secure vital intelligence and evidence and, if applicable, liaise with the relevant officer and police force or Dog Warden.

Pet Detectives on the case with Snoopy the Pug

A dog snatching case that we recently investigated was the case of Snoopy the Pug who was snatched from a rented property.

The landlady entered one of her rented properties where our client was the tenant. She instructed a locksmith to break into the property legally, which is debatable. She then placed notices within the property before it was re-secured by the locksmith. When the client left the property that morning, Snoopy was safe and well within the address. On his return, Snoopy was nowhere to be seen. The landlord was the only person who had entered the property that day and had left notices inside confirming her presence. The client contacted the Police to report the burglary and an officer was assigned. The officer spoke to the landlady informally who was the prime suspect. She stated there was no dog within the property when she entered. The case was then closed, and no crime was recorded by the officer.

The client, obviously beside himself with the loss of Snoopy and the Police’s incompetence/naivety.

Titan’s Pet Investigators performed house to enquiries, gained CCTV and vital intelligence which identified that the sister of the Landlord is a dog lover and has recently been seen walking a Pug. The sister’s address was traced by Tian’s analysts and a static surveillance was imposed. This is when we utilise one surveillance operative to covertly monitor the comings and goings from the sister’s address. Observations commenced at 6am eagerly awaiting a sighting of Snoopy.

Low and behold, at 8:30am the sister exits with three dogs, one being a Pug that looked exactly like Snoopy. Imagery is obtained and sent to the client who confirms a positive identification of Snoopy. The operative remains in situ to secure evidence of the sister re-entering the house with the dogs before contacting the Police. The Police attended and confirmed the microchip within the Pug to be that of Snoopy, and he was reunited with his owner. The Police investigation into what Titan uncovered is still ongoing.

Hire Pet Detectives in the UK, who do I call?

UK For further advice and information our dedicated Pet Investigations Team is available to speak to at one of the offices nearest to you.

London Pet Investigations – Call the Titan Investigations London Office 020 39046622

Birmingham Pet Investigations – Call the Titan Investigations Birmingham Office 0121 7162442

Cambridge Pet Investigations – Call the Titan Investigations Cambridge Office 01223 662022

Derby Pet Investigations – Call the Titan Investigations Derby (Head Office) 01332 504256

Leeds Pet Investigations – Call the Titan Investigations Leeds Office 0113 4574066

Leicester Pet Investigations – Call the Titan Investigations Leicester Office 0116 2436520

Nottingham Pet Investigations – Call the Titan Investigations Nottingham Office 0115 9646950

Manchester Pet Investigations – Call the Titan Investigations Office 0161 3023008

Sheffield Pet Investigations – Call the Titan Investigations Sheffield Office 0114 3499400

Alternatively, you can contact us directly using our fully confidential contact form at enquiries@titaninvestigations.co.uk or chat directly using our Live Chat facility and one of our private investigations team will get right back to you.