MORE than 100 dogs were stolen in West Yorkshire last year, new figures show. 

West Yorkshire Police recorded a total of 125 dog thefts in 2023.

Across the UK, police figures suggest that at least 2,290 dogs were stolen last year - a six per cent increase on 2022.

Just one in six - 16 per cent - were found and returned successfully, the lowest level since insurer Direct Line started tracking the data in 2015.

The Metropolitan Police registered the most thefts, with 359 dogs reported missing across London, followed by Kent Police (138) and West Yorkshire Police.

English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and XL bullys were the most frequently stolen breeds.

Beverley Cuddy, editor of Dogs Today magazine, a patron of Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance and founder of dog homing website Bark Angel, said: "The Theft Act still treats this crime (dog theft) as no more significant than the theft of a mobile phone – so all our pets are at risk of abduction.

"We can make it harder for impulsive criminals by never leaving our dogs tied up outside shops and protecting them when at home.

"Statistics show most are stolen from our own gardens."

The Telegraph & Argus asked West Yorkshire Police for a comment but no response was received.