{"id":131730,"date":"2021-07-10T00:55:43","date_gmt":"2021-07-10T00:55:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/?p=131730"},"modified":"2021-07-10T00:55:43","modified_gmt":"2021-07-10T00:55:43","slug":"ministers-plan-dna-database-for-dogs-to-tackle-surge-in-pet-thefts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/ministers-plan-dna-database-for-dogs-to-tackle-surge-in-pet-thefts\/","title":{"rendered":"Ministers plan DNA database for dogs to tackle surge in pet thefts"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Ministers plan a DNA database for dogs to help tackle a surge in pet thefts during the pandemic<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>New system would requires owners to supply DNA swab from their pet&#8217;s mouth\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><b>Would be stored on a database used by police and local authority officials<\/b><\/li>\n<li><strong>Follows rise in pet thefts during pandemic as puppy demand hit record levels<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Ministers\u00a0<span>are considering plans for a DNA database for dogs to help tackle a surge in pet thefts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>A Whitehall source said there was growing interest in mimicking the National DNA Database, which has revolutionised crime fighting since its introduction in the mid-1990s.<\/p>\n<p>The new system would require owners to supply a DNA swab from a pet\u2019s mouth to be stored on a database used by police and local authority officials.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2021\/07\/10\/00\/45259063-9774699-image-a-61_1625873805563.jpg\" height=\"423\" width=\"634\"><\/p>\n<p>Ministers are considering plans for a DNA database for dogs to help tackle a surge in pet thefts. Picture: Stock<\/p>\n<p>It follows a rise in pet thefts during the pandemic when demand for puppies drove prices to record levels.<\/p>\n<p>Cocker spaniels and labradors were among thieves\u2019 prime targets, Direct Line Pet Insurance found.<\/p>\n<p>Staffordshire bull terriers were the most sought after, with 97 stolen across the UK last year. While designer dogs, such as chihuahuas and French bulldogs, were also on the hit list.<\/p>\n<p>In February, Lady Gaga\u2019s dog walker Ryan Fischer was shot in the chest in Los Angeles by thieves who took two of her French bulldogs. She offered a \u00a3359,000 reward and her pets were eventually found and returned.<\/p>\n<p>DogLost, which works to reunite owners with missing pets, said dog thefts rose by up to 250 per cent in the last year. Boris Johnson is said to be \u2018determined\u2019 to tackle the scourge, which leaves families heartbroken.<\/p>\n<p>Ministers rejected a bid by Labour this week to make pet theft a specific crime, arguing that it would lead to shorter sentences.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2021\/07\/10\/00\/45258811-0-image-a-50_1625873247034.jpg\" height=\"357\" width=\"634\"><\/p>\n<p>Cocker spaniels and labradors were among thieves\u2019 prime targets, Direct Line Pet Insurance found. Picture: Stock<\/p>\n<p>However, they are considering changing sentencing guidelines to make it an aggravated offence under the Theft Act. The Whitehall source said: \u2018A DNA database for dogs may sound a bit daft but we might end up needing it. It is being looked at.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Pet dogs already have to be microchipped by law. However, some dogs have health conditions which mean they cannot be microchipped, while callous thieves are increasingly cutting the chips out to make stolen pets untraceable.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The system has also been hampered by the reliance on private suppliers which have databases in different formats storing information.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2021\/07\/10\/00\/45258797-0-image-a-53_1625873285782.jpg\" height=\"462\" width=\"306\"><\/p>\n<p>Tory MP Andrew Griffith (pictured) introduced a bill on the issue this week<\/p>\n<p>Tory MP Andrew Griffith introduced a bill on the issue this week, saying a national database would \u2018bring joy to families and individuals, fight crime, improve biosecurity, help the UK\u2019s leadership in animal genomics and repay the loyalty of the nation\u2019s faithful four-legged friends.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>He added the system would have a number of other benefits, including making it possible to track down irresponsible owners who allow their dogs to foul pavements and parks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Mr Griffith said trials by Barking and Dagenham Council in London found the problem was reduced by 60 per cent after pet owners were warned they could be traced through DNA.<\/p>\n<p>Last month, Gloucestershire Police became the first force in the country to begin using DNA to tackle dog thefts.<\/p>\n<p>The DNA Protected scheme enables dog owners in the county to register their pets\u2019 DNA on a database which can be accessed by police forces across the country.<\/p>\n<p>Testing company Cellmark helped to develop the scheme, charging \u00a374.99 for a swab kit.<\/p>\n<p>Chief inspector Emma MacDonald, of Gloucestershire Police, said: \u2018Dog theft can have a massive impact on the owner and their families as dogs are often seen as family members and we are committed to doing all that we can to prevent dog thefts from happening.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/news\/article-9774699\/Ministers-plan-DNA-database-dogs-help-tackle-surge-pet-thefts-pandemic.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ministers plan a DNA database for dogs<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":131729,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23056],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Ministers plan DNA database for dogs to tackle surge in pet thefts - Pre Coin News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/ministers-plan-dna-database-for-dogs-to-tackle-surge-in-pet-thefts\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Ministers plan DNA database for dogs to tackle surge in pet thefts - Pre Coin News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Ministers plan a DNA database for dogs\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/ministers-plan-dna-database-for-dogs-to-tackle-surge-in-pet-thefts\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Pre Coin News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-07-10T00:55:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"mediabest\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Ministers-plan-DNA-database-for-dogs-to-tackle-surge-in-pet-thefts.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"mediabest\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/ministers-plan-dna-database-for-dogs-to-tackle-surge-in-pet-thefts\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/ministers-plan-dna-database-for-dogs-to-tackle-surge-in-pet-thefts\/\",\"name\":\"Ministers plan DNA database for dogs to tackle surge in pet thefts - Pre Coin News\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2021-07-10T00:55:43+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-07-10T00:55:43+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/#\/schema\/person\/ad0e9920e03d3b41c7ad02a18375d76a\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/ministers-plan-dna-database-for-dogs-to-tackle-surge-in-pet-thefts\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/ministers-plan-dna-database-for-dogs-to-tackle-surge-in-pet-thefts\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/ministers-plan-dna-database-for-dogs-to-tackle-surge-in-pet-thefts\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"World News\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/category\/world-news\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Ministers plan DNA database for dogs to tackle surge in pet thefts\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/\",\"name\":\"Pre Coin News\",\"description\":\"precoinnews.com\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/#\/schema\/person\/ad0e9920e03d3b41c7ad02a18375d76a\",\"name\":\"mediabest\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f5f13cb3b94fc348d515c0951f6ca073?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f5f13cb3b94fc348d515c0951f6ca073?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"mediabest\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Ministers plan DNA database for dogs to tackle surge in pet thefts - Pre Coin News","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/ministers-plan-dna-database-for-dogs-to-tackle-surge-in-pet-thefts\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Ministers plan DNA database for dogs to tackle surge in pet thefts - Pre Coin News","og_description":"Ministers plan a DNA database for dogs","og_url":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/ministers-plan-dna-database-for-dogs-to-tackle-surge-in-pet-thefts\/","og_site_name":"Pre Coin News","article_published_time":"2021-07-10T00:55:43+00:00","author":"mediabest","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_image":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Ministers-plan-DNA-database-for-dogs-to-tackle-surge-in-pet-thefts.jpg","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"mediabest","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/ministers-plan-dna-database-for-dogs-to-tackle-surge-in-pet-thefts\/","url":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/ministers-plan-dna-database-for-dogs-to-tackle-surge-in-pet-thefts\/","name":"Ministers plan DNA database for dogs to tackle surge in pet thefts - Pre Coin News","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/#website"},"datePublished":"2021-07-10T00:55:43+00:00","dateModified":"2021-07-10T00:55:43+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/#\/schema\/person\/ad0e9920e03d3b41c7ad02a18375d76a"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/ministers-plan-dna-database-for-dogs-to-tackle-surge-in-pet-thefts\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/ministers-plan-dna-database-for-dogs-to-tackle-surge-in-pet-thefts\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/ministers-plan-dna-database-for-dogs-to-tackle-surge-in-pet-thefts\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"World News","item":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/category\/world-news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Ministers plan DNA database for dogs to tackle surge in pet thefts"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/","name":"Pre Coin News","description":"precoinnews.com","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/#\/schema\/person\/ad0e9920e03d3b41c7ad02a18375d76a","name":"mediabest","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f5f13cb3b94fc348d515c0951f6ca073?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f5f13cb3b94fc348d515c0951f6ca073?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"mediabest"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131730"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=131730"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131730\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/131729"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=131730"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=131730"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=131730"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}