A MAJOR increase in dog thefts across Lancashire has left hundreds of pet owners heartbroken.

According to new reports, cases of ‘dognapping’ across the county have risen by 78 per cent since 2015.

A Freedom of Information request has revealed that during the period of 2015-2017, a total of 286 dogs were reported as stolen.

Over that period, 103 of the dogs were stolen directly from people's homes.

Speaking about the measures that dog owners need to put in place to ensure they don’t fall victim to the crime, a Lancashire Police spokesman said: “People should never leave their pets tied up, such as outside shops.

“You should make sure your dog is wearing a collar and ID tag when in a public place. Which should include a name, phone number and address.”

The research has also revealed that of the dogs stolen over this period, 16 were as a result of owners leaving their pets tied up outside shops in a public place.

Farm yards, sheds and vehicles also featured on the list of places that dognappings took place.

One lady who has fallen victim to dognapping is Patricia Savoini, whose beloved dog Sultan was stolen from her garden in Accrington. Speaking at the time of the theft, Ms Savoini said: “We felt as if our world had fallen apart.”

Despite the rise in the number of dogs being stolen, 25 per cent of reported cases have resulted in the pets being returned to their owners.

The most common breed of dog to be reported as stolen across the county was the Staffordshire bull terrier with 52 registered as stolen since 2015.

The news of an increase in dog thefts across Lancashire comes less than a year after victims of ‘dognapping’ in the county backed plans to recognise dog thefts as a specific type of crime.

The freedom of information request was submitted by The Insurance Emporium.