These people steal pets in order to make money from breeding, illegal fighting and reward money. There are certain breeds which are more at risk than others but you can take steps to reduce the threat.

Firstly, ensure that your pet had an ID tag. Even better, you could fit them with a microchip which will help to identify the pet should the ID tag be lost. Don’t let your pet outside alone and ensure that your property is secure. You can also vary your walk routes and perhaps consider neutering your pet to ensure that they are not stolen for breeding purposes.

The hospital has caused great controversy as £15 million has been spent on it. But in a world where dog fighting and animal cruelty seems to be on the increase, many argue that it is about time that money was invested in our pets and their welfare.

The funding has come from a fundraising campaign, and funding from the university as vets will be trained there. There will also be fees paid for appointments at the hospital.

Anything that helps our pets has got to be a good thing. They deserve a healthy, happy life as much as us humans.