Police stop mass dog-napping thanks to tip-off

beagle and border collie puppies in crate

Police officers foiled a mass dog-napping after receiving a tip-off about a man filling his van with puppies. Reports suggest he was trying to steal as many as 40 pups!

By Ashley Murphy

Published on the 25/08/2020, 18:00, Updated on the 08/02/2021, 13:25

Officers follow the lead

A member of the public called police after spotting the man near Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Officers then tracked the vehicle before pulling it over on the M6 motorway.

They searched the van and found two wire cages stuffed with up to 40 puppies. The pups were a mix of Beagle and Border Collie miniature breeds. Each one is worth thousands of pounds.

Police arrested the man, 24, on suspicion of theft. The details of the case are still unknown, although West Mercia Police issued the following statement:

"Police were called to Beeches Road in Charlton Kings on Saturday following reports that a man was seen to have been loading a number of puppies into a van."

Train your dog to use public transport

"Officers conducted enquiries into the vehicle before liaising with colleagues at West Mercia Police who located and stopped the van on the M6 before detaining the man."

The statement also confirmed that the pups were safe and sound at a local RSPCA centre. They'll now undergo medical assessments before moving onto rehoming shelters.

Police are still investigating

Detective Constable Dave Wise tweeted a picture of the pups:

These are the stolen pups @Glos_Police, @OPUWorcs and @RSPCA_official helped to rescue yesterday. 😍🐶 pic.twitter.com/mGL2v6R2BM
— DC Dave Wise (@CopThatCooks) August 23, 2020

The suspected puppy thief was questioned and later released from police custody; investigations are still ongoing.

See also: Officers stop van at customs and get shock of their lives when they look inside

Ashley Murphy

Ashley is a freelance writer based in Manchester. He grew up around pooches, but (unfortunately) he doesn't have the time or space for one of his own. So he volunteers with a local dog-walking agency in his spare time. It's definitely the best part of his week!

Frequently asked questions

What is the best age to choose a puppy?

There's no such thing as a 'perfect' age, although most vet and dog experts recommend waiting 7-8 weeks before rehoming puppies. Even then, pups need time to settle into their new homes, especially if they're struggling with separation anxiety.

Here's how you can prevent separation anxiety in puppies.

What do I need to know about adopting a rescue dog?

Many rescue dogs didn't get the best start in life. They may have been abused, abandoned, or neglected. These negative early experiences can create behaviour issues, so rescue dogs often require a little extra training. Adopting a rescue dog can be challenging, but it's also extremely rewarding. You'll be giving the dog a second chance at the life it deserves.

Here are some handy tips on adopting a rescue dog.

What is a mini dog?

The term miniature can refer to two types of dogs. It might mean a mini-version of a larger breed, such as a miniature Poodle. Or it could be referring to breeds that are naturally small, including the tiny Chihuahua.

Here's a guide to the miniature dog breeds.