Jo Powell & Ivy - 2021 Pet Thef Campaign

Jo and Robert Powell’s beloved Bulldog puppy Ivy, from Stroud, was stolen in early 2021 “Ivy was staying with our son in Kentish Town London for a couple weeks. She was stolen from his living room – the thieves came over the garden fence and broke into the house through doors that connect the house and the garden. “Ivy was still a puppy, she was seven months old when she was taken.“The police were called as soon as our son discovered that Ivy was gone, but we didn’t receive much support from them initially. To bring Ivy home we started a social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter.“It has been devastating experience for us. We have been worried sick of her fate, how is she being cared for, whether she is neglected or used for breeding. She also had problem with her eye which would be very sore and might be in need of urgent treatment to prevent her from going blind.“The police did offer more help, assigning us a senior investigator and creating a MET police appeal video for her case, but there has been no leads so far.“It’s a terrible experience. We imagine the worst, and the frustration and worry escalates. It’s causing stress between us as a family, our youngest children keep asking where Ivy is and if our other dog – George – misses her. It’s constant heartbreak and we can’t do anything to change the situation. We can’t move on with our lives for fear and guilt of enjoying ourselves at all when she could be suffering.“The law around pet theft definitely needs to change, it is crime that needs to be taken more seriously, with tougher sentencing. Dogs are not just a possessions, you don’t just get over it and buy a new one. Pet theft is an abduction of a loved family member.“We just want Ivy back, and to take care of her as her family.”