The dog owner warned the thief to lurk in the park and led the dog out of the garden

Activists said hieves robbed dog walkers in affluent areas and used snacks to lure dogs in the garden.

according to guardianThe demand for “fashionable breeds” and designer hybrid breeds is particularly high, including French bulldogs, pugs, cocaps and Labradors.

During the pandemic, the price of some puppies rose from £2,000 to £8,000, and as reliable breeders slowed down their operations, a black market emerged to fill the demand gap.

Becky Thwaites, the head of public affairs at Blue Cross, told the paper: “A pet is not only a tangible thing, but a member of your family.

“Pet theft is very frustrating, and it can cause a lot of trauma to the owner. I don’t know. When your pet is stolen, you don’t know who took it, it’s gone Where if it comes back.

“Unfortunately, pet theft is not always taken seriously, which can make the impact worse because you are reporting a crime to the police and are basically treated as if your laptop was stolen. This is not a pet The reality of being stolen.”

She said: “Many of us are staying at home longer and longer, so the demand for puppies has increased and the supply has fallen because responsible breeders are not breeding as many.”

“Insufficient supply has led to an increase in the number of criminals involved in the industry and an increase in pet theft.”