Over the past week there have been reports about an epidemic of dog thefts, locally, nationally and internationally. The dog walker of pop star Lady Gaga (in the USA) was shot at and the dogs stolen, plus closer to home there have been reports of organised criminal gangs targeting certain breeds and even harassing people who are out walking their dogs.

Is this the latest 'moral panic' and is it the early 2020s answer to past crime panics like car crime in the 80s-90s and happy slapping in the 2000s?