Dog owners are bring urged to join a DNA database to help reunite lost or stolen dogs with their owners should they go missing.
Avon and Somerset Police have taken the lead from neighbouring Gloucestershire Police in launching a scheme, with several open days planned to help owners buy DNA kits and swab their pets.
From Saturday (June 11), members of the public will be able to buy a DNA testing kit, swab their dogs and have their pets' profiles recorded on the DNA Protected national database.
If a suspected stolen dog is seized, their DNA can be checked, enabling officers to identify the rightful owner and return their pet.
The kits also come with house stickers and collar tags to act as a deterrent to would-be thieves.
Avon and Somerset Police's lead for dog theft, PC Natalie Cosgrove, said: "People's dogs are part of their family and we understand how distressing it is when pets are lost or stolen.
"The benefit of this approach is that the dog's own DNA is the identifying factor, and this cannot be removed or altered.
"We're getting the ball rolling in our area by swabbing some fire service dogs, as well as the wellbeing dogs who are available for our police officers and staff."
Anyone unsure about swabbing their dog themselves will be able to attend one of a number of open days with their pet.
These are planned to run from 10am until 4pm at:
Patchway Police Centre - Tuesday, July 19
Bridgwater Police Centre - Wednesday, August 10
Weston-super-Mare Town Hall Police Station - Friday, August 19
The kits are available for £74.99 from https://www.dnaprotected.co.uk/ and the scheme is managed by Cellmark Forensic Services. Anyone attending one of the events will benefit from a discount.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service's Fire Investigation Dog, Jet, and Search and Rescue Dog, Sally, are due to join the scheme on Saturday.
Jet's highly tuned sense of smell can find traces of accelerants which may have been used to deliberately start a fire, while Sally can locate live casualties in environments from open areas and woodland to collapsed structures.
Station manager Martyn Bolt, also Jet's handler, said: "Not only is Jet a valued member of the Fire Investigation Team, he is also a part of the family.
"I'm pleased we can register Jet's DNA at this event, as another way to keep him safe from thieves and gives us some reassurance if he were to be lost or stolen.
"I'd encourage any dog-owners to get their pets swabbed to give that extra layer of protection and reassurance if the worst were to happen."
Chief Constable Sarah Crew said: "As a dog owner myself, I recognise their importance as part of our families, as service dogs, in giving companionship, and in supporting our wellbeing.
"The theft of a beloved pet causes great distress so I’m delighted to be part of this launch to help protect our canine friends, reunite stolen dogs with their owners, deter criminals, and bring offenders to justice."
Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford added: "As a fellow dog-owner, I know how much our pets mean to us and the impact and even the thought of our pets being lost or stolen causes great distress for the whole family, let alone it actually happening.
"This is why I am encouraging local people across Avon and Somerset to protect their four-legged friends and join the dog DNA database so, if the worst case scenario happens, pets can be reunited with their owners."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here