West Midlands Police Records Over 500 Pet Thefts in Five-Year Period
A Freedom of Information request has uncovered that West Midlands Police have dealt with more than 500 reported pet theft incidents over the last five years. The data, obtained through the platform Whatdotheyknow, shows a total of 535 cases were reported to the police force between 2021 and 2025.
Yearly Trends in Pet Theft Reports
The number of reported pet thefts has fluctuated significantly during this period. In 2021, there were 115 reports, while 2025 saw 116 reports, indicating a near-identical level. However, between 2024 and 2025, there was a notable increase of 31.8 percent, with reports rising from 88 to 116 incidents.
Breakdown by Animal Type
West Midlands Police provided detailed statistics on the types of animals stolen, categorizing them as pet animal-bird, pet animal-dog, pet animal-other, cat, horse, rabbit, and tortoise. Additional data included other animals such as cattle, freshwater species, livestock, poultry, reptiles, sheep, tropical animals, and wild categories.
Dogs were the most frequently targeted pets, with a staggering 384 reports lodged over the five years. Between 2024 and 2025, dog theft reports increased by 15.7 percent, from 57 to 66 cases. Despite this recent hike, overall dog thefts have declined over the period, dropping by 24.1 percent from 87 reports in 2021 to 66 in 2025.
Cat thefts ranked second, with 89 reports made between 2021 and 2025. The number of recorded cat theft cases has been increasing over the last four years. Following cats, the category pet animal-other had 33 total reports, while poultry thefts were the highest among other animals, with 18 reported incidents in the five-year span.
Police Response and Community Impact
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police emphasized the importance of reporting such crimes, stating, "We’d encourage anyone who is a victim of these crimes to get in touch with us so that we can investigate." This statement underscores the police's commitment to addressing pet theft and supporting affected residents in the West Midlands.
The data highlights ongoing concerns about animal crime in the region, with pet owners urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to authorities.
