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Stolen PIGEON among 500 swiped pets as police investigate surge in animal crime
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Manchester Evening News
Apr 17, 2016, 11:45:50 AM4/17/16
to
A pigeon thief and a chicken rustler were among a string of criminals
investigated by police dealing with a surge in pet-related crime.
More than 500 animals have been stolen in Greater Manchester in the past three
years - but the figure has shot up from 131 crimes in 2013 to 213 last year.
Dogs are the main targets - but penalty notices have been issued over the
theft of fish, and a suspected poultry thief is still on the loose.
The data, obtained via a Freedom of Information request by the M.E.N, revealed
that 528 crimes involving 546 animals have been reported to police over three
years.
A total of 339 dogs and puppies were snatched, as well as 33 cats and kittens,
17 horses, 36 rabbits, 52 birds and 69 fish.
Up until March this year, police had already been called to investigate almost
40 reports.
In April 2013, there was a spate of bird thefts - a person was charged after
stealing a pigeon in [Gorton](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-
about/gorton) , another for taking poultry in Farnworth. There were also
several other thefts of poultry in Bolton but no suspect was identified.
In May 2013, police issued six penalty notices for disorder after fish were
stolen in Castleton, [Rochdale](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-
about/rochdale) , and in August that year a person was charged following the
theft of three dogs in south Manchester.
**Stolen animals in Greater Manchester (2013-2015)**
A person was charged after a bird and a cat were pinched in
[Bury](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/bury) in September
2014, and that November five dogs were stolen in
[Reddish](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/reddish) .
Two youths were cautioned after a cat was stolen in July 2015.
The data also showed that of the 500-plus animals taken over the three years,
less than a quarter were recovered.
### Animal cruelty
[  Pet attacked by German Shepherds
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/german-
shepherds-video-dog-attack-11183943) [  Dumped food risks wildlife
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/fears-
dogs-wildlife-risk-dumped-11185328) [  Why was dog
found dead in stream? ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-
manchester-news/dog-found-dead-stream-leigh-11164808) [
 Dog found gasping for
life ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news
/dog-found-gasping-life-dehydrated-11153106) [  Dog is tethered to balcony
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/abused-
dog-mouth-taped-salford-11093880) [  Cats die in
suspected poisonings ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-
manchester-news/cat-deaths-poisoning-warning-trafford-11093366) [  Extreme cruelty cases revealed
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/extreme-
cases-animal-cruelty-revealed-11080086) [  Cat has eye
gouged out ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-
news/cat-eye-gouged-out-horrific-11075754)
1 of 8
Inspector Tariq Butt from [GMP's Tactical
Aid](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/crime) , Dogs & Mounted
Unit said: "When a beloved family pet is stolen it can be an stressful and
upsetting time for both the animal and the owners. However, there are a number
of simple steps that people can take to protect their pets.
"Animals can be micro-chipped and tagged so that ownership can be proved.
**Watch: Behind-the-scenes look at Chester Zoo's annual 'animal count'**
 Video
loading
Click to play
The Live Event you are trying to watch is either unavailable or has not
started
"Photos can be taken and any distinguishing marks should be noted as well to
make them easier to trace if they become lost or stolen.
"When buying a pet it is also important to buy from reputable sellers. Any
suspicious behaviour around pets should be reported to police on 101."
### Here comes the sun...
[  All the shows at HOME this summer
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/home-theatre-
manchester-spring-summer-11117091) [  11 stunning
castles an hour away ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/family-
kids-news/castles-visit-around-greater-manchester-9499574) [  How to make the most of better weather
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/sun-
manchester-things-to-do-11051505) [  Seven great
country pubs ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news
/best-gastropubs-manchester-lancashire-cheshire-10948134) [  Nine stunning country estates ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
/whats-on/family-kids-news/nine-stunning-country-estates-you-9855745) [  Prettiest parks and picnic spots
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/best-parks-picnic-greater-
manchester-9557795) [  The best ice cream parlours
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/greater-
manchesters-best-ice-cream-9549702) [  Best places to
walk - or drink - in sun ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news
/greater-manchester-news/suns-out-best-places-go-8988866) [  Best beaches to drive to
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/best-
beaches-within-two-hour-drive-6791756) [  Manchester's
marvellous museums ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/arts-
culture-news/manchester-museums-school-holidays-events-11112787) [  Looking to get out of the city?
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/days-out) [  Memory lane: Blackpool Illuminations
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/pictures-
countdown-blackpool-illuminations-begins-9758610)
1 of 12
investigated by police dealing with a surge in pet-related crime.
More than 500 animals have been stolen in Greater Manchester in the past three
years - but the figure has shot up from 131 crimes in 2013 to 213 last year.
Dogs are the main targets - but penalty notices have been issued over the
theft of fish, and a suspected poultry thief is still on the loose.
The data, obtained via a Freedom of Information request by the M.E.N, revealed
that 528 crimes involving 546 animals have been reported to police over three
years.
A total of 339 dogs and puppies were snatched, as well as 33 cats and kittens,
17 horses, 36 rabbits, 52 birds and 69 fish.
Up until March this year, police had already been called to investigate almost
40 reports.
In April 2013, there was a spate of bird thefts - a person was charged after
stealing a pigeon in [Gorton](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-
about/gorton) , another for taking poultry in Farnworth. There were also
several other thefts of poultry in Bolton but no suspect was identified.
In May 2013, police issued six penalty notices for disorder after fish were
stolen in Castleton, [Rochdale](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-
about/rochdale) , and in August that year a person was charged following the
theft of three dogs in south Manchester.
**Stolen animals in Greater Manchester (2013-2015)**
A person was charged after a bird and a cat were pinched in
[Bury](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/bury) in September
2014, and that November five dogs were stolen in
[Reddish](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/reddish) .
Two youths were cautioned after a cat was stolen in July 2015.
The data also showed that of the 500-plus animals taken over the three years,
less than a quarter were recovered.
### Animal cruelty
[  Pet attacked by German Shepherds
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/german-
shepherds-video-dog-attack-11183943) [  Dumped food risks wildlife
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/fears-
dogs-wildlife-risk-dumped-11185328) [  Why was dog
found dead in stream? ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-
manchester-news/dog-found-dead-stream-leigh-11164808) [
 Dog found gasping for
life ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news
/dog-found-gasping-life-dehydrated-11153106) [  Dog is tethered to balcony
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/abused-
dog-mouth-taped-salford-11093880) [  Cats die in
suspected poisonings ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-
manchester-news/cat-deaths-poisoning-warning-trafford-11093366) [  Extreme cruelty cases revealed
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/extreme-
cases-animal-cruelty-revealed-11080086) [  Cat has eye
gouged out ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-
news/cat-eye-gouged-out-horrific-11075754)
1 of 8
Inspector Tariq Butt from [GMP's Tactical
Aid](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/crime) , Dogs & Mounted
Unit said: "When a beloved family pet is stolen it can be an stressful and
upsetting time for both the animal and the owners. However, there are a number
of simple steps that people can take to protect their pets.
"Animals can be micro-chipped and tagged so that ownership can be proved.
**Watch: Behind-the-scenes look at Chester Zoo's annual 'animal count'**
 Video
loading
Click to play
The Live Event you are trying to watch is either unavailable or has not
started
"Photos can be taken and any distinguishing marks should be noted as well to
make them easier to trace if they become lost or stolen.
"When buying a pet it is also important to buy from reputable sellers. Any
suspicious behaviour around pets should be reported to police on 101."
### Here comes the sun...
[  All the shows at HOME this summer
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/home-theatre-
manchester-spring-summer-11117091) [  11 stunning
castles an hour away ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/family-
kids-news/castles-visit-around-greater-manchester-9499574) [  How to make the most of better weather
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/sun-
manchester-things-to-do-11051505) [  Seven great
country pubs ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news
/best-gastropubs-manchester-lancashire-cheshire-10948134) [  Nine stunning country estates ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
/whats-on/family-kids-news/nine-stunning-country-estates-you-9855745) [  Prettiest parks and picnic spots
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/best-parks-picnic-greater-
manchester-9557795) [  The best ice cream parlours
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/greater-
manchesters-best-ice-cream-9549702) [  Best places to
walk - or drink - in sun ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news
/greater-manchester-news/suns-out-best-places-go-8988866) [  Best beaches to drive to
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/best-
beaches-within-two-hour-drive-6791756) [  Manchester's
marvellous museums ](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/arts-
culture-news/manchester-museums-school-holidays-events-11112787) [  Looking to get out of the city?
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/days-out) [  Memory lane: Blackpool Illuminations
](http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/pictures-
countdown-blackpool-illuminations-begins-9758610)
1 of 12
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