Home / Crime and Justice / Dog Thefts Soar: Ex-Soldier Risks Life for Stolen Pets
Dog Thefts Soar: Ex-Soldier Risks Life for Stolen Pets
29 Mar
Summary
- A former Army bomb disposal expert risks his life to recover stolen dogs.
- Over 23,000 dogs were stolen in Britain in the ten years to 2024.
- French bulldogs are the most targeted breed, with resale values over £3,000.
Canine crime is on the rise across Britain, with thefts now occurring at a rate of five per day. Wayne May, a former Army bomb disposal expert, has dedicated the past 16 years to recovering stolen dogs. His dangerous missions have seen him subjected to physical harm, including being run over, stabbed, and shot.
May employs advanced technology such as drones and thermal imaging cameras, alongside surveillance techniques, to track down stolen pets. This commitment has led to the recovery of over 3,000 dogs and hundreds of convictions against thieves. He has assisted numerous clients, including celebrities who are willing to pay substantial sums to retrieve their pets.
Between 2014 and 2024, more than 23,000 dogs were stolen in Britain. French bulldogs are the most frequently targeted breed due to their high resale value, often exceeding £3,000, followed by Staffordshire bull terriers, chihuahuas, and Jack Russells. DogLost reported a 170 percent increase in thefts from 2019 to 2020.
May's own experience fueled his mission when his show dogs were stolen in 2018. Though he didn't recover his own dogs, he gathered evidence that led to the imprisonment of the thieves for other crimes. He now works closely with DogLost, a UK lost-and-found dog database, to aid other owners.
