FAMILIES who received new pet dogs for Christmas have been issued advice by police on how to keep them safe, as figures revealed more than 300 pets have been stolen in the last four years.

Essex Police is urging all owners of new pets to follow five simple steps to ensure dogs are kept safe and avoid harm.

Figures from a freedom of information request revealed that 57 pets were stolen in Essex in the first half of 2022, while 108 were stolen in 2021, 82 in 2020, and 87 in 2017.

Top tips for new dog owners included: l Ensure your dog is microchipped and registered on a database. All dogs in the UK must be chipped by the age of eight weeks old.

l Always keep your dog in view: don’t leave them tied up outside shops or in a garden unsupervised.

l Use a collar and dog tag displaying contact details but don’t put your dog’s name on the tag and use only your surname.

l Train your dog to come back when called and never let them off the lead if you are not sure they will come back to you. If in doubt, use an extending lead, especially if you are in an unfamiliar area where your dog may get easily lost.

l Take plenty of good, clear photographs of your dog and make a note of any distinguishing features to make identification easier.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Last year, we launched Operation Reunite, our response to intelligence concerning illegal breeding and organised dog thefts, resulting in new cross-border practices with our neighbouring forces to track down thieves and to prosecute anyone involved in pet-related crimes as well as reuniting owners and their dogs.

“Before you report a dog theft to us, please make sure it hasn’t escaped and run away or been taken for a walk by someone else.

“If you think your dog has been stolen you can report a crime online or call 101. Please be ready to give us as much information as you can, including your dog’s name and description, any distinguishing features and a photograph of your dog with and without you in the image.”

Essex Police work in collaboration with DogLost UK. DogLost are the UK’s largest free lost and found dog service and have reunited more than 60,000 missing dogs with their owners. For more information and advice visit www.doglost.co.uk.