Sadly, dog thefts are on the rise again and it’s become a worrying trend particularly in the North East where thefts are up 250% on last year.

Emily (one of our Partners) said: “We’re talking about this more and more here. It’s really worrying. It’s such a horrifying thought that your dog can be there one second and gone in the next. We’re hearing about so many successful dog thefts now. It ruins families for years.”

Thankfully there is a brand-new campaign striking up to tackle thefts head on in the time when something really can be done in the seconds and moments after a theft. Something the campaign refers to as “The First Precious Minute” during a dog theft.

Nigel King, doggie lover and founder of the non-profit “DogHorn” campaign, says: “There are many groups out there helping find lost or stolen dogs, but no-one is helping organise the vast number of ready-to-help dog owners who could (and would) spring into action if they only knew what to do. So, I am doing just that.”

Nigel says: “It is a simple set of rapid reaction strategies to do things like prevent, identify, slow down, track, follow, stop, get police intervention, all happening in the seconds and in that “Precious Minute” during and after a theft.”

“It’s about doggie teamwork, whose consensus is, “I’ll look after your dog‘s safety if you look after mine”.

“By getting a target audience of 4,000 dog owners in Northumberland alone signed up for just £5 each, knowing what to do, having the equipment pack and working together, then as dog responder's WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.”

Nigel has worked tirelessly in the last month to have the whole non-profit campaign up and running, including an informative Facebook page (@doghorngroup), a local Facebook group (Anti-Dog Theft Volunteers: Druridge Bay), a website (www.doghorn.uk) with an online shop, as well as building a fast growing distribution system, including an outlet with us at Coquet Vets.

The campaign is based primarily around a pack (that you can get from us) that contains a highly visible lanyard, whistle and “PAWS” anti-theft reaction code, and instruction booklet. The aim is to cascade a sound code through different methods, (hence the “DogHorn” name). To get one, it’s a voluntary payment but we suggest a donation of just £5, more if you want to see this campaign spread faster and further.

Coquet Vets love this idea and are fully behind the campaign, especially as we know that Nigel, as an experienced marketeer and doggie lover, will get this campaign flying quicker than anyone else.

Support him, tell your friends about the campaign and pop in to see us to collect your own DogHorn Package. We also think it’s a great little Christmas present for your doggie walker friends!

If you want to check out more check out find their facebook page here or see their website www.doghorn.uk.