http://www.yourdog.co.uk 39Theft continues to be a problem these
days — last year an average of eight
dogs were stolen every day.Victorian London was notorious for
dog stealers. Journalist and social
reformer Henry Mayhew estimated
that as many as 141 dog thieves
operated in the city, with 45 of them
claiming dognapping as their main
profession. It was a lucrative business;
wealthy owners were stalked until an
opportunity arose to seize their dogs.
Smelly morsels of meat, which had
been laced with a sedative, were used
to lure them away; once successfully
abducted, the owner would be
contacted and asked for a ransom.
Although laws existed against theft
and traffi cking in stolen dogs, they
were diffi cult to enforce and owners
often feared involving the police for
fear of retribution against their pets.
By 1845 the problem had grown so
much in scale that the Dog Stealing
Act was passed, but, as with the
previous legislation, it continued to
be largely ignored.Illustrations: Emma Thrussell.▼upon you again for a Black Dog between
a greyhound and a spaniel, no white about
him, only a streak on his brest, and his tayl
a little bobbed...” After giving directions for
his return, it plaintively continues: “Will they
never leave robbing His Majesty! Must he not
keep a dog?”
FREDERICK THE
GREAT AND BICHE
Dognapping was not a phenomenon
confi ned to the UK. In the eighteenth
century, Frederick the Great, King of
Prussia, became a victim of dog theft.
During his lifetime he’s said to have
owned no less than 35 of the Miniature
Greyhounds to whom he was devoted.
Nothing was too good for them: the
royal kitchens prepared their meals,
which the King would then feed them,
sitting on the fl oor and handing the
choicest portions to his favourites.
They travelled in their own coach, drawn
by six horses, and at the palace at
Sans-Souci were allocated a gallery
where to Frederick’s amusement, they
entertained themselves by jumping on
the furniture and shredding the fabric.
His especial favourite was Biche, who
slept on his bed, sat on his lap while
he discussed matters of state, and was
immortalised by court painter Antoine
Pesne. She also accompanied her master
on his military campaigns, and when
Frederick’s baggage was captured by
Austrian Hussars during the battle of
Soor in 1745, their plunder included his
beloved pet. General Radaski presented
his canine trophy to his wife; Frederick
however was so distressed that he
refused to negotiate terms until she was