Dogs 'favoured over burglar alarms'. Britons are choosing dogs over burglar alarms when it comes to safeguarding the security of their home, according to research from one insurer.



A study from Legal & General revealed that while 20 per cent of people in the UK have a dog as a safety precaution, just 20 per cent of these dog owners also have a burglar alarm installed, counting instead on their pets for protection.

The over-50s were found to be twice as likely as younger Britons to consider owning a dog as a security measure, with 24 per cent saying they would do so, compared to 12 per cent of 18 to 29-year-olds.

Head of communications at Legal & General's general insurance business Ruth Wilkins said that the results showed a "concerning reliance" among the British population on dogs for personal protection.

"People should also think about other precautions before relying solely on a dog for their security," she advised.

"Dogs can act as a very effective deterrent to would-be thieves but unfortunately can also provide little protection in the eventuality of a break-in."

The insurer also warned of a 75 per cent increase in dognappings in London last year.

According to the Missing Pets Bureau, 5,700 dogs and cats are stolen every week.

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