• Study finds losing a dog akin to losing a child
• Owners report emotional distress comparable to bereavement
• Dog thefts surged during COVID-19, exacerbating psychological anguish

The indomitable connection that pets and their owners form is common knowledge. 

Now, research confirms that they truly do feel like members of the family, as the psychological anguish associated with losing a child is comparable to that of having a dog taken, according to one study. 

In interviews with owners whose dogs had been stolen, researchers inquired about the owners’ requirements and experiences. 

The majority of participants drew parallels between the emotional distress induced by the incident and the bereavement of a family member or child. 

This was accompanied by anxiety and emotions such as melancholy, grief, despair, hopelessness, and numbness. 

Certain individuals expressed that the loss was more profound than that of a family member or acquaintance due to the strong emotional connection they shared with their pet. 

The results corroborate the idea that canines are, in fact, members of the family, according to the research group. 

Additionally, a more thorough examination unveiled how the dog was taken could potentially exacerbate the situation—either using physical coercion or unauthorized entry into a residence. 

This study explored the experiences and needs of dog guardians when confronted with dog theft, and the results validated an overlap of characteristics between human and non-human relationships,” said Akaanksha Venkatramanan of Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. 

It provides evidence of the guardians’ parental responsibility and the profound affection for canines. 

There are 13 million dog owners in the United Kingdom alone, and it has been discovered that companion ownership improves both mental and physical health. 

Additionally, they offer companionship and provide solace to numerous individuals, especially those who would otherwise encounter considerable isolation and loneliness. 

As canines motivate individuals to exercise, spend time in nature, and go for walks, the researchers demonstrate that owning a dog mitigated the negative effects of loneliness that were prevalent during the COVID-19 lockdowns in the United Kingdom. 

Sadly, the increased number of individuals who were rearing dogs at this time led to an increase in breeding, a rise in the price of puppies for sale, and theft throughout the pandemic. 

Amidst the lockdown, 3.2 million pets were purchased; however, reports of dog larceny surpassed 2,000, representing a 250 percent increase in such incidents compared to the pre-Covid era. 

At this time, dog larceny legislation merely applies to cogs, treating them similarly to material possessions like stolen bicycles. 

Certain participants expressed that their psychological distress was exacerbated by an inadequate comprehension of the profound value an animal companion can provide. 

The group expressed their desire for their findings to result in increased assistance for individuals whose canines have been abducted.

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Dr. Lindsey Roberts, a senior lecturer at the University of the West of England and an authority on human-animal bonds, stated, “This research was initiated when the dog of a friend of mine, Lola, was stolen from beneath her nose in her backyard by an individual who posed as a delivery driver.” 

“Everyone was jolted by the distress, and I felt that more needed to be done to assist those whose dogs were being stolen.” 

“Since conducting interviews with individuals who had their dogs stolen, we have developed a questionnaire to identify the areas in which individuals require the most assistance in order to alleviate the distress caused by the theft.” 

The publication containing the research outcomes was Human-Animal Interactions.

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