‘Much-loved’ Dachshund dogs stolen from house as police launch appeal

Police are appealing for witnesses after three “much-loved” Dachshund dogs were stolen from a house.

The burglars forced entry through a rear door of the property in Northamptonshire, on Sunday.

Police said the thieves searched the home in Baker Crescent before stealing the pets and a quantity of jewellery.

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The dogs are described as a black and tan miniature Dachshund, a red dapple miniature Dachshund with a distinct white fleck on her iris underneath her left eye pupil and a red standard Dachshund.

Police would like to speak to witnesses who may have seen a vehicle parked or anyone acting suspiciously in the area.

They would also like to speak to people who have been offered the dogs or items of jewellery for sale in unusual circumstances.

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Northamptonshire Police said in a statement: “Police officers are appealing for witnesses after three Dachshund dogs were stolen in a residential burglary in Baker Crescent, Irchester.

“Between 3pm and 9pm on Sunday, 6 February, the offender/s have forced entry via a rear door and once inside have made an untidy search of the property before stealing the much-loved pets and a quantity of jewellery.”

People who steal dogs could face up to five years in jail if convicted of dog abduction, under new government plans.

The offence is being added to the Kept Animals Bill, after a recommendation by the government’s pet theft task force last September.

The task force was launched in May to tackle a reported rise in pet thefts during the pandemic, with evidence showing that more than 2,000 incidents were reported to the police in 2020.

When it comes to crimes recorded by police involving animals being stolen, around seven in 10 involve dogs, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said.

The new offence will take into account the emotional distress caused to both the owner and the dog and help enable judges to give more targeted penalties and sentences for pet thieves, Defra said.

It added that a provision will also be made in the Bill to extend the offence to other pets in the future if evidence supports that.

The Kept Animals Bill is currently in the report stage in the House of Commons.

Anyone who may have any information regarding the theft of the Dachshund dogs is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.