In the lucrative underground world of pet dog trafficking, worth thousands of British pounds, dog theft gangs operate with increasing sophistication, professionalism, and readiness to use violence. For over 16 years, Wayne May, known as the "dog thief hunter" detective, has confronted them, enduring stabbings, shootings, and even being hit by a car while rescuing pets for families.

Wayne May, 55, a former military bomb disposal expert, understands the depths of this illicit trade better than anyone. His personal journey into combating dog theft began with a painful experience in 2018. A group brazenly stole his show dogs from his farm in Dartford, Kent, right before his eyes. When he pursued them, the thieves' SUV struck him, leaving him abandoned on the road.

Wayne May became a dog thief hunter detective after his own dogs were stolen. Photo: Sun

"I was devastated and furious", Wayne recalled. With assistance from the police and DogLost, the UK's largest free lost dog database, Wayne recovered two of his dogs. After photos circulated, the third dog was found being transported by ferry to the Isle of Wight from Southampton, over 160 km from Wayne's farm.

From a victim, Wayne became a volunteer investigator for DogLost, gradually gaining renown for his dramatic rescue operations. He states that in over 16 years of activity, he has helped recover over 3,000 stolen dogs and assisted in prosecuting hundreds of thieves. He employs various technologies, from unmanned aerial vehicles and military-grade thermal cameras to advanced surveillance techniques, for his work.

According to statistics in the UK, over 23,000 dog theft incidents were recorded in the decade leading up to 2024. In 2024 alone, approximately 1,800 dogs were stolen, equivalent to five dogs daily. These figures conceal a lucrative black market where expensive dog breeds are resold or forced into breeding for profit.

Wayne's targets are not just opportunistic thieves but also organized gangs. These groups often rapidly move dogs through various locations to erase traces before selling them or placing them in illegal breeding facilities. According to Wayne, the police often cannot dedicate extensive resources to these cases, as dog theft is not comparable to murders, rapes, or drug trafficking. Thanks to DogLost, and many hours of research, Wayne eventually identified the theft group responsible for stealing his dogs and monitored their whereabouts around the clock. He couldn't get the group convicted of dog theft, but he gathered enough evidence to imprison all involved individuals for other offenses.

"We discovered two individuals specializing in illegal immigration, and others involved in drug trafficking. We also tracked and filmed some individuals stealing cars. Although I didn't get my dogs back, at least I got justice", Wayne recounted.

"The feeling of returning a dog to its family is always worth every risk. I hate dog thieves", Wayne said. He believes success comes not from detective-movie-style action but from calmness and experience. According to him, when pets are lost, owners often panic, making investigative cooperation more difficult. "The information we provide to the police is 99,9% accurate. Owners are often driven by emotion, but we know how to handle it because most of us have been victims", Wayne added.

A notable case highlighting his meticulous methods was the rescue of a Cocker Spaniel named Honey in 2023. After being stolen from her owner's home in Kent, Honey was repeatedly moved through seven different locations while awaiting her heat cycle. To track her, Wayne's team constantly changed surveillance vehicles, disguised themselves as postal workers, and even enlisted real postal workers to attach hidden cameras during mail delivery. After a week of 24/7 surveillance, they located Honey in the garden of a house in Ashford at dawn, confirmed her identity via microchip, and secretly returned the animal.

"I will never forget the moment I texted to say Honey was home. From outside, I heard shouts of joy erupting", Wayne recounted.

Singer Lady Gaga once offered a 500,000 USD reward for the return of her two stolen French bulldogs. Photo: Instagram

Many of Wayne's clients are celebrities. According to him, stars often panic more than ordinary people, fearing they are targeted and willing to spend thousands of British pounds to recover their pets. In one incident, the investigation team posed as dog buyers, discreetly using microchip scanners to check each puppy in a London apartment complex before identifying the stolen animal and purchasing it back for the owner.

The most targeted dog breeds are French bulldogs, with a resale value exceeding 3,000 British pounds, followed by Staffordshire terriers, Chihuahuas, and Jack Russell terriers.

Every owner Wayne has helped is grateful. Some remain in contact, calling to express gratitude annually on the anniversary of their dogs' theft. That is also why, despite being stabbed, shot in the leg, or hit by a car while pursuing gangs, Wayne continues the work he considers his mission.

Tue Anh (Source: The Sun)