Today marks Dog Theft Awareness Day and the start of Pet Theft Awareness Week. Police & Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, wants owners to be aware of simple tips that can help keep their companions safe.

Having a dog stolen is a traumatic experience for the animal and for the family left with a big hole to fill.

Cheshire Police has set some easy measures you can take to protect your dog from thieves:

• Keep an ID tag on your dog at all times (your surname, mobile number and address only, do not include your pet's name).

• Secure gates using bolts at the top and bottom, along with a heavy-duty padlock and gate alarm.
• Never leave your pet in the garden unattended.

• Purchase a driveway alarm so you are alerted to any intruders, these can also be used in rear gardens and yards.

• Make sure your dog is microchipped and their details are kept up to date so that they can be returned if they are stolen and subsequently found.

• Avoid leaving a dog tied up outside a shop or left alone in a car, even for a few minutes.

• Take lots of photographs of your dog to prove ownership if it's stolen; pay particular attention to any distinguishing markings on your dog

John Dwyer, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire said: "It's said we are a nation of dog lovers and I am no exception. "I want everyone to be aware of the steps we can take to protect our canine companions." At the end of last year, the government announced proposals for a new dog abduction offence. A report from the Pet Theft Taskforce found that seven in 10 pet thefts recorded by the police were related to dogs. The new offence, which would attract sentences of up to five years, has been added to the Kept Animals Bill which is currently making its way through Parliament. John Dwyer added: "I welcomed the proposal for this new offence when it was first announced and I am pleased to see it is closer to becoming law. "Dogs are more than just property. Having your dog stolen is emotionally devastating, and it's right to ensure that the law reflects the impact of the crime. "People who think that pets are an easy target to make money from can think again." If your dog is stolen, you should report it to the police as soon as possible by calling 101, or online here [I] Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Crewe Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town. Please consider following Crewe Nub News on Facebook or Twitter.