Dogs Trust lost dog appeal: have you seen Jasmine the Staffy?

Dog owners in the Mitcham area and across the country are being reminded that dogs can be lost and stolen all too easily. Two-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier Jasmine (pictured), went missing from her enclosed back garden in Mitcham on Sunday, the possible victim of a dog theft.

Neutered and microchipped, young Jasmine appears to have been the latest in a string of recent dog thefts in the area.

All too often, Dogs Trust hears of pedigree and crossbred dogs being stolen for ransom, breeding, hunting, selling on to unsuspecting members of the public, or, worst of all, for use by dog fighting rings. Prevention is definitely better than cure, as getting your dog back is very difficult.

Five tips for ensuring your dog's safety:

• Microchip your dog, remembering to update your contact details every time they change.
• Make sure your dog is wearing a collar and tag with your name, address and phone number (not his / her name, as it can make them more likely to trust a stranger). A collar and ID tag is a legal requirement.
• If your dog is neutered, consider stating this on a tag attached to their collar. This might put off certain types of thief, especially if they're a pedigree.
• Never leave a dog unattended outside a shop, in a parked car or in an unobserved garden.
• Immediately report stolen dogs to the police and local dog warden.

If you have seen Jasmine or have any information on her whereabouts please contact Megan on 07852 345731 or 07834 049773 anytime. Confidentiality guaranteed.