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Thieves stole a van and 11 dogs - including one belonging to best-selling cookery writer Annabel Karmel - from a professional walker in Hampstead.
They are believed to have trailed the driver and pounced on Christchurch Hill when she stopped to pick up a dog and left the keys in the ignition.
Hours later nine of the 11 pets were found in North Finchley tied to a lamp post. The two still missing include a samoyed belonging to Ms Karmel and a pug, owned by Rolf and Goldie Allan.
A reward of £2,000 for each dog has been offered by the owners, who have said they will think twice about giving their beloved pets to a professional walker in charge of so many dogs.
Ms Karmel said: "I will never give my dog to a walker who takes out more than five at one time. It is ridiculous for one person to look after 11 dogs. He will never leave my side.
"I worry about what they are doing to him. If they have any feelings at all they should know these dogs need to be with the people who love them."
Mr and Mrs Allan returned early from holiday in Switzerland when they were told of the theft. Mr Allan, of Hampstead, said: "If I get my dog back he will never go out with any dog walker unless are no more than two or three dogs at one time.
"To take seven, 11 or 14 is totally irresponsible. It is a disgrace to leave them in the car. It's terrible."
The van belonged to the Good Boy Dog School run by Dima Yeremenko. It was found dumped in Tanza Road, Parliament Hill.
Mr Yeremenko is fighting proposals to limit the number of dogs professionals can walk and he dismissed the owners' concerns on dog numbers.
He said: "If the van was stolen with one dog inside it would be one too many. It is an irrelevant argument and just distracts everyone."
Reader views (8)
This reinforces the importance of choosing a dog walker who is a member of the National Association of Registered Petsitters (NARP). NARP are the professional association for dog walkers and pet carers and one of the conditions that all of their members have to follow is that they can only walk up to a maximum of 4 dogs. It is also a condition of their insurance which many of their members use.
There are unfortunately a number of dog walking companies, particularly those using vans who walk more than this number which is clearly irresponsible. Due to the high level of risk they are often uninsured.
Dog owners should ask the potential dog walkers:
What professional organisations are you members of?
Are you insured?
Are you police checked?
Can you supply references?
Do you have any testimonials?
What is the maximum number of dogs you will walk?
Are you part of a team?
Do you undergo pet development?
The professional London dog walking companies will be able to give positive responses to these questions.
- Steve, London, 25/06/2010 17:12
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Any responsible dog walker will always poop scoop - what kind of mess do you make when you take a s**t Huggy?
And as for 'if Germany beat England' if you have a german breed of dog - for godsake - isn't it time people started to grow up a bit ?
It is possible - in an orderly pack - to walk 10 dogs - no, some of us aren't in it for the money either !
I don't call £15 for looking after a dog for a whole day, walking, running and playing with it - a fortune either - as for 'lazy' dog owners - if somebody has a dog and is working - not wanting their beloved pooch to be on its own all day - then the service of dog walking is sort - what is the matter with that?
Wake up people and smell the coffee !
- Kim, SW London - UK, 24/06/2010 19:39
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they must of been nice hotdogs.....a sauce told me if germany beat england on sunday if you have a german breed keep it safe....yours frank furter friend of boris the english bulldog...more dick whittingtons cat.
- scony, middlesbrough, 24/06/2010 17:14
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My St. Bernard uses the window box.
- gwilym rhys-jones, marbella spain, 24/06/2010 16:21
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what sort of mess must this lot make?
I hope the 'walker' picks up the poos, - but the rest....arghhhh.!
- Huggy, Cumbernauld Scotland, 24/06/2010 16:14
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Lazy people ...walk the dogs yourself. We have problems with pro dog walkers with huge packs. Each dog is earning them cash....so multiply it....11 dogs per hour at what rate? The owners should check....even follow to make sure it a reputable dog walker with controllable small numbers. The dogwalkers are out to make a profit.
- Fiona, Hammersmith, 24/06/2010 15:32
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That should deter these menace several at once dog-walkers.
- Don, Sheen, 24/06/2010 12:55
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How anyone can do that is despicable and cruel. To call them animals is an insult to animals.
I hope the culprits are caught and punished.
Those poor dogs must have been very distressed as well as Ms Karmel.
Brave men these are targeting a woman.
- James from Camden, London, 24/06/2010 12:31
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