People living in the Pêcheries district of the Brussels' municipality Watermael-Boitsfort are worried about a rising number of attempted dog thefts reported by residents. Some were even attacked trying to protect their pet.
Several residents of the Pêcheries neighbourhood have reported incidents of people trying to steal their dogs, Sudinfo reported. One man, who has lived in the area for eight years and walks his dog around the local pond every day, was attacked as a group attempted to take his dog. Fortunately, his pet came to his defence and the culprits ran away.
Similar accounts have been shared on the local authority's Facebook page. These incidents have left other local dog owners uneasy, especially as it gets darker earlier, making it easier for thieves to hide.
People with dogs of pedigree or particular breeds such as Chihuahuas or golden retrievers are especially afraid to walk alone as these animals are targeted more than others because they can be sold illegally at higher prices.
Reporting theft
Belgium's latest figures on dog thefts, from the official DogID platform, date back to 2021 when 305 dog thefts were reported in Belgium. In Flanders, 169 dogs were taken from their owners.
In Wallonia, 121 dogs were stolen, while Brussels recorded 15 dog thefts. Chihuahuas were the most targeted (63 thefts), followed by French bulldogs and American staff (20), Cavaliers King Charles (15), Spitz (14), Yorkshires (10), Dachshunds (9) and Jack Russells (8).
Figures from the I-CAD (the national identification register for pet dogs, cats, and ferrets) in France show that thefts are an issue here too. More than 20,000 dogs were reported lost in 2023, but many are thought to be related to theft.
Police in Belgium call on owners of dogs that have been stolen to report it at a nearby police station as soon as possible. The dog's passport with the chip or tattoo number is needed, as this allows police services to detect the theft of the dog and check whether the animal has been found in the meantime. Owners can also contact DogID (manager of the database with dog identification and registration data in Belgium) to report the loss or theft.
Owners have also been urged not to leave their pets unattended in public spaces.
