Pets stolen in Buckinghamshire have only a 13 per cent chance of being reunited with their owners, figures reveal.

A Freedom of Information request submitted to eight forces across the UK for 2014 reveals that, of the 30 domestic animals reported stolen to Thames Valley Police, four were returned to their owners.

Of the 30 pets stolen in the Thames Valley area, 20 were dogs. The list also included three birds, three horses, two fish, one snake and one tortoise.

Neighbouring forces, Hertfordshire Constabulary and Bedfordshire Police also featured in the breakdown of results.

Of the 83 pets stolen in Hertfordshire, nine were reunited with their owners and of the 46 taken in Bedfordshire, four were returned home.

The FOI was submitted by VioVet to coincide with its Pet Theft Awareness Week, which runs from Saturday, March 14, to Saturday, March 21.

In total, of the 883 pets reported stolen, only 77 were recovered, with one animal being found dead.

Figures reveal that dogs were the most likely pets to be stolen, with 271 of the 883 being canines. Fish were the next target, with 253 being taken, followed by 221 birds who went missing.

Dog theft is becoming an increasing concern in Buckinghamshire. In December, a dog walker in High Wycombe was violently attacked when two men punched and kicked him to the ground in an attempt to steal his beloved pet.

Philip Roberts, commercial director at VioVet, said domestic animals remain a consistent target for thieves.

He added: “Across the board, the very low recovery rates show just how difficult and challenging pet theft is to the police.

“Despite most if not all pet owners seeing their animals as part of the family, they are understandably not high on the police priority list when it comes to allocating scarce resources.”

In Bristol, just one of the 107 fish, birds, dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits and tortoises recorded as stolen was ever returned, according to VioVet’s figures.

In Manchester, 46 pets were returned from a total of 312 that were reported stolen, including a ferret.