Information provided by Lincolnshire Police Force
Don't leave your dog unattended in the garden, especially if you can't see it from the house.
Ensure your garden is secure and lock your gates. Fit a bell to the gate to alert you of someone entering your property.
CCTV and doorbell cameras may help deter dog thieves.
When out and about, walk in pairs where possible and don't be distracted by your mobile phone.
Keep to busy streets and parks. Beware of slow-moving vehicles taking an interest in your dog and strangers asking questions.
Never leave your dog tied up outside a shoр and never leave your dog in the car - not only is the dog at risk of overheating, a thief can be in and out of a vehicle with your pet in very little time.
Don't let your dog off the lead if you don't think it will come back - consider a pet GPS which attaches to its lead.
Social media
Avoid putting too much information about your dog, such as where you live and work and keep privacy settings in mind.
If you're visiting a new place, wait until you're home to tag locations.
When posting pictures, be sure to blur out any identification tags.
Remain suspicious of strangers asking lots of questions online.
Other things to consider
Neutering: Many dogs are stolen for breeding purposes. Neutering your dog may deter these types of criminals and has a number of other health benefits as well as reducing the likelihood of roaming.
If you breed puppies for sale, take great care when inviting people in to view them. Have someone else present, limit the numbers of people you allow in at a time and use one secure area.
Discuss who would own the dog in the event of bereavement or break up and draw up documentation to this effect. Pets can become the centre of ownership disputes in these circumstances