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Police release photos of 48 stolen dogs to help reunite animals with owners

(PA)
Some of the suspected stolen dogs yet to be reunited with their owners. (PA)

Police have published photos of 48 suspected stolen dogs in an effort to reunite them with their owners.

More than 80 animals were seized last month following a police raid on a Travellers’ site on the outskirts of Ipswich, Suffolk.

It followed an investigation into a number of pet thefts.

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Suffolk Police are trying to track down the rightful owners of the dogs, but said a lack of identifying features and information had made the process “challenging”.

As a result, it has published a gallery of 48 dogs in the hope their owners will come forward.

None of the total number of 83 dogs, of various breeds and ages, have yet been reunited with their owners.

Watch: Police release dogs gallery to reunite stolen pets with owners

Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wallace, senior investigating officer for the operation, said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who believes any of the dogs in the images may be theirs.

“During the last few weeks officers have been liaising with other police forces around the country, as well as conducting a number of other inquiries, in order to establish where the dogs may have originated from.”

Anyone who believes that one or more of the dogs is theirs is asked to email police at opscout@suffolk.pnn.police.uk with proof of ownership.

They are asked to do so by 24 May, providing a full name, contact details and the image number which relates to the dog, or dogs, in question.

Police said owners should only make contact via the email address, and must not contact the force’s contact and control room on 999 or 101.

Proof of ownership can include vet records clearly identifying the dog or photos of distinctive markings.

Undated Suffolk Police handout photo of a suspected stolen dog that police want to reunite with their owner. Issue date: {idow} {imnn} {iday}, {iyr4}.
One of the dogs yet to be reunited with its owner. (PA)
Undated Suffolk Police handout photo of a suspected stolen dog that police want to reunite with their owner. Issue date: {idow} {imnn} {iday}, {iyr4}.
A total of 83 dogs were found after an investigation into stolen pets. (PA)

The dogs either do not have microchips or have chips which appear to be incorrectly registered, but owners can contact police with further details on microchipping.

Other photos of the dogs which prove ownership, purchase details or records of reporting a dog as lost or stolen to police or charities can also be submitted.

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Six people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal in connection with the operation.

A 39-year-old man, a 34-year-old man and two women aged 41 and 46 have been bailed until 17 June.

A second 34-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman have both been released and will face no further action.