Ad Blocker Detected
Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.
After a huge surge in the number of dogs stolen during the pandemic, a Sheffield resident hit upon the idea of using a referee’s whistle as a universal emergency call for dog walkers threatened by dog thieves
The woman made the suggestion on social media after vulnerable dog walkers said they were afraid to walk their pets in case they were stolen from them.
She said, “The whistle of a referee (or something similar) is an unusual sound in any neighborhood.
register Check out our Public Interest Bulletins for the latest news on the coronavirus
register Check out our Public Interest Bulletins for the latest news on the coronavirus
“/>
A dog walks with Christmas shoppers (Photo by Hollie Adams / Getty Images)
“Why don’t we make an emergency dog walker whistle!
“If all dog walkers wore a whistle and a whistle sounded in the event of attempted theft or attempted threat, everyone in the immediate vicinity could help, but we have to get the entire community dog and non-dog owners on board.”
South Yorkshire Police have confirmed that dog thefts have increased in recent months and social media websites have been flooded with reports of suspected incidents and suspicious people and vehicles allegedly roaming the streets.
Dog owners across South Yorkshire have raised dog theft concerns after a woman was pulled out of her car by a man who tried to steal her pet pooch in Sheffield.
Another heartbroken man said he was held on the knife appointment when thieves stole a brood of puppies.
A woman has claimed on a number of websites that three dogs were recently stolen at gunpoint in Sheffield.
However, South Yorkshire Police have not yet provided details of dog thefts that have been reported since the attempted dognapping near Crystal Peaks.
Police advice to owners includes that you should never leave your dog unattended, make sure your pet is microchipped and kept up-to-date, and that strangers are not allowed to be photographed with your dog.
Dog walkers have been advised not to post details about their pets and hiking plans online.
