In This Issue
Award-winning pet retailer Betty & Butch to star in Blue Peter Christmas Special
Pampered pets will get Christmas presents worth more than £75
Great merchandising for pet gifts at Christmas
Sir Richard Branson praises game-changing pet firm
Wagg appoint new Chairman to replace founder Bill Page in March
Product award for Royal Canin as Maine Coon breed rises up the charts
'Mutant giant spider dog' gets most views on YouTube
Company takes the lead on wedding plans for pets
Exhibitor stands for next year's PATS Sandown ‘sold out’
Outdoor Australian range catches on with UK dog owners
Manchester Dogs' Home fire survivor Sandy in running for national pet award
Grumpy Cat makes owner happy with £64m windfall
Goodwyns partners with Vital Pet Products
Police release CCTV images of pet shop thief
Dog owners warned to be vigilant against dognappers
Britain faces 'pet obesity epidemic', experts warn
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Dog owners warned to be vigilant against dognappers



Dog owners have been warned to be extra vigilant after the appearance of mysterious chalk markings on properties following a spate of dognappings.

Expensive breeds of dog are being targeted by the crooks, who want them for their pedigree breeding or to use in sports such as hare coursing.

Homeowners have found strange chalk markings on several properties, which some have suggested were put there by criminals to denote an easy target.

The warning comes after unscrupulous thieves struck across Britain, snatching dogs which they believed might be valuable.

Last week the body of two-year-old cockapoo Willow, owned by Hayley Walsh and Ross Scotney, was discovered near a public footpath in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, after she went missing on October 30.

Heartbroken Mr Scotney, 28, said: "We know five to ten people whose dogs have been stolen, some from gardens and others snatched while they were actually on a walk.

"There is a lot of activity in the area, particularly around the travellers' site." 

Police said that the spate of dog thefts in the area appeared to be focused on expensive breeds such as cocker spaniels and labradors, and cross-breeds like cockapoos, as well as gun dogs used on shoots.

They also steal 'running' dogs such as greyhounds, whippets, lurchers and Salukis to supply the black market trade for illegal hare coursing.

A petition has been started, calling on police to take stronger action, and within days it had been signed by more than 8,000 people.

Labradoodle breeder Annette Courtney, who signed the petition, said: "I know it can be difficult for the police but I do think they should investigate Willow's case because it was so bad.

"If someone took her and found out she'd been spayed, she'd be of no use to them and they'd just get rid of her."

Police fear that dognappers will beat dogs into submission before selling them on the black market.

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