Today (14th March) sees the start of Pet Theft Awareness Week and with increasing reports of dogs being stolen, snatched (at knifepoint in some cases) or kidnapped filtering through on our Facebook feeds, in the newspapers and via posters displayed in our local park, there’s never been a better time to sit up, pay attention and get behind a campaign, which is pushing for stronger sentences for anyone involved in pet theft, and to encourage owners to take preventative measures to protect their pet.

Mutt or high-priced Pedigree dog, a dog is a not an object. For the majority of owners, their dog is at the heart of the family so to lose him at the hands of cruel thieves or heartless opportunist would be shattering, and quite frankly makes my blood BOIL! For anyone that has gone through this painful and traumatic experience, there's no comfort in the punishment served out to the wicked people behind these horrid crimes. Pet theft legislation isn’t tough enough and the police and the courts have little power to prioritise the theft of pets over the theft of possessions. Now pray tell where is the logic in that?

Backed by a number of organisations and companies including Pet Log, Doglost.co.uk, The Kennel Club and Viovet, the internet-based Pet Theft Awareness Week is encouraging dog-lovers to spread the word through activities such as liking and sharing their Facebook page, following and retweeting posts from their Twitter feed, printing off posters and persuading places such as your supermarket, pet shop, town hall and of course the local vets to display them. Most importantly, they are urging people to sign their e-petition to lobby the government to introduce a Pet Theft Law. We’ve done it and it takes all of five minutes to help make a difference.

Pet Theft Awareness Week run from the 14th to 21st March. To get involved, visit Pettheft.co.uk