FOR many years the British have been known as a nation of dog lovers. In fact British households, including royal ones, provide a home to 6.6 million canine companions.

And these four-legged friends are predominantly seen as an additional member of the family for the vast majority of people.

Losing a beloved pet can be absolutely devastating for both adults and children – especially if they have been with the family for a few years.

Sadly, the theft of dogs is on the increase and police have recorded more than 4,500 offences involving stolen dogs in the past two years in England and Wales, according to retailer Pets Corner.

The national trend is also reflected in Worcestershire and Herefordshire as West Mercia Police confirm the number of dog thefts in the two counties has risen.

Inspector Darren Webster said in 2015 there were 37 dogs stolen across the two counties and 11 had been taken during the first five months of this year.

“It is across all breeds but the most stolen type of dog is a terrier and particularly Staffordshire-type terriers. This is the sort of dog used in illegal dog fighting,” he said.

Other breeds stolen from homes in Worcestershire and Herefordshire include huskies, Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas, Alsatians, spaniels and pugs.

“Although the theft of a dog is termed property, the impact of it is massive on a family. The impact of losing a family member and not knowing what has happened to them is devastating,” he added.

Since April this year is it now a legal requirement for dog owners to have their pet microchipped and Insp Webster said this should help to reduce the number of dogs stolen because if a dog is found wandering or in the wrong place the microchip can be checked.

However, he pointed out this is not a foolproof system and it is important for owners to make sure they know where there dogs are and make sure their garden, home and vehicle is secure.

He also advised that advertising dogs and particularly puppies can lead to thefts. “People come to see the dog at the home where it is kept and then afterwards it gets stolen. If you can, it is a good idea to meet people somewhere else outside the home – although this is not always possible with puppies.”

Insp Webster added that there is also a national website where people can register their stolen dog and it can help to recover them.

“Owners should make sure they have the documentation for the dog and take lots of pictures of their pet – particularly any distinguishing marks so the dog can be matched with its genuine owner,” he said.

Lucy Ross - an animal specialist and head of training at Pets Corner - said: “The emotional impact of losing a cherished pet is profound so if an animal goes missing it can be an incredibly distressing time for its owners. There are a number of things that owners can do to help protect their pet from thieves as well as procedures they can follow if an animal is taken.”

Pets Corner has compiled an owner’s guide to help safeguard a dog from theft and what to do it a pet is taken.

• Microchipping and tags. Microchipping is not a replacement for ID tags on collars and legally dogs should have both. Make sure the details are kept up to date.

• GPS dog trackers. Owners can get dog trackers fitted to a dog’s collar and this uses GPS signals to provide live tracking information 24 hours a day. There are devises that allow the owner to set safety zones around their location with audible alerts if the dog wanders too far.

• Pets in public. Owners should avoid leaving their pets alone in public places or in cars. If a destination is not dog friendly then leave the dog at home. Always make sure the dog is attached to you with a lead when letting out of a car at the end of a journey.

• Lost and found. If a dog is stolen, inform the police immediately – they take all crimes very seriously and will issue a Crime Reference Number. Also contact the local authority dog warden service, local vets, any rescue centres and the Petlog Reunification Service. Share photographs and information around saying when and where your dog was last seen.

“Posting details on social media and encouraging others to share, contacting the media as well as internet-based search organisations will all improve your chances of reuniting you with your dog,” said Lucy.