A dog's ransom could cost you dear

A dog's ransom could cost you dear

Liz Hurley may have become the latest victim of dognapping two weeks ago, when her black labrador, Emily, went missing from outside her home in South Kensington.

Reporting the story, the Sun claimed that the country has been 'gripped by a dognapping panic'. This is not far from the truth: according to the RSPCA, about 50,000 dogs are stolen in Britain each year, some of them to be sold on and others for a possible ransom on their return.

Brian Godbolt, a semi-retired property developer from Dorset, inherited his 14-year-old Jack Russell, Jaycee, from his sister.

Godbolt says that although the dog has 'always been a bit of a tearaway' he became concerned one Saturday when Jaycee disappeared from the back garden where he had been running around. 'He's an old dog, so I thought he would be sensible but he obviously wandered off into the fields at the back of the house,' says Godbolt. 'When he failed to reappear I called the police, my insurance company, Animal Friends Insurance, and the animal rescue centre.'

Two days later Jaycee appeared, unharmed but confused, in a street in Shaftesbury, six miles away. Police said that because of the distance he was found from Brian's house, he had probably been dognapped but abandoned by the thieves once they realised how old he was.

'The insurance company were extremely helpful and said they would assist with a reward and with the costs of circulating a description of Jaycee in the area,' says.....continued below

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Brian. 'Luckily he turned up before that was necessary but I'm so glad it was there to draw on had I needed it.'

Pet insurer Asda says Brian's story is not unusual: common dogs, as well as rare breeds, are falling prey to canine crime. 'Labradors, bulldogs, collies, spaniels and Jack Russells are targets for canny thieves who capitalise on owners' fondness for and dependence on their pets by demanding ransoms in exchange for their safe return,' says Asda. 'Other money-spinning options are to sell dogs on for breeding or to target a litter of puppies or a pregnant dog.'

Asda's pet insurance comes with add-ons, including £1,000 for local advertising about a lost or stolen pet. The insurer covers dogs under the age of seven, and monthly premiums depend on breed and postcode. Cover with Asda for a six-and-a-half-year-old Jack Russell terrier in Leeds, including £1,000 lost or stolen cover, for example, would cost £10.60 for the first month followed by 11 payments of £9.18 per month.

Animal Friends Insurance, which gives all net profits to animal charities and animal welfare groups, will cover animals of any age and premiums are not dependent on breed or postcode. Basic cover, which includes £100 for advertising and a reward and £350 for loss by theft or straying, costs £6.35 a month for dogs under eight and £9.17 for older ones.

Its platinum super cover, which includes £1,000 for advertising and a reward and £1,500 for loss by theft or straying, plus £750 for a reward in the case of burglary, costs £18.95 for a younger dog and £24.14 for older ones. All premiums are lower for cats.

Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2005