Quarter of Missing Pets Stolen

6,700 cats or dogs have gone missing in Exeter in the last 5 years.

It is reckoned almost a quarter of them could have been stolen.

Insurance expert Lucy Hunter says we could be doing more to stop that happening: "[micro]chipping your pet just takes second and is virtually painless and is very very helpful in insuring your pet can be returned to you. Thare are also some common sense measures such as keeping your garden boundaries as secure as possible to prevent your dog escaping and if you use a dog walker do make sure they are reputable"

She says if our pet is stolen there are things we can do: "ask around speak to neighbours, do some advertising, advertise in the local press, ensure you have posters up in the local area then you can be reunited with your pet even after a theft"