Unfortunately in recent years there appears to have been an increase in the amount of dog theft, usually because the those responsible wish to breed from or sell on the dogs in a bid to make money.
Having your dog neutered, microchipped and tattooed can prevent them being stolen as this will make them less attractive to dog thieves. You should also never allow your dog to roam without supervision.
For advice on what to do if your dog has gone missing or you have found someone else's dog, visit our section about lost and stray dogs.