According to a survey, 62&nbsp;per cent Americans consider their pet as their "best friend".

The poll was conducted among 2,000 dog and cat&nbsp;owners. It found 81 per cent would leap to rescue their pet from immediate danger and 59 per cent people wouldn't mind fighting with another person to save their favourite friend.

Interestingly, three out of five people in the poll thought of their pet as their "soulmate".&nbsp;

Also, those in the 18-24 age group are most likely to include their pet in their wedding celebrations.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-common-in-pet-dogs-and-cats-reveals-study-395073">Also Read:&nbsp;Covid common in pet dogs and cats, reveals study</a>

The survey found that 67 per cent people believe they can read each other's minds and most feel a pet positively influences their mental health.

According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, there are several health benefits of owning a pet which includes encouragement&nbsp;for a person to exercise and importantly pets help to decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

A pet also helps its owner to fight against loneliness, anxiety and symptoms of PTSD, the CDC claims.

However, the top US health agency warns children below 5 and those over 65&nbsp;are&nbsp;likely to get diseases spread by their animals with even pregnant women at risk.

CDC says pets teach kids responsibility and compassion although children under 5 should be under supervision while interacting with them.

(With inputs from Agencies)

According to a survey, 62 per cent Americans consider their pet as their "best friend". The poll was conducted among 2,000 dog and cat owners. It found 81 per cent would leap to rescue their pet from immediate danger and 59 per cent people wouldn't mind fighting with another person to save their favourite friend.

According to a survey, 62 per cent Americans consider their pet as their "best friend". The poll was conducted among 2,000 dog and cat owners. It found 81 per cent would leap to rescue their pet from immediate danger and 59 per cent people wouldn't mind fighting with another person to save their favourite friend. Interestingly, three out of five people in the poll thought of their pet as their "soulmate". Also, those in the 18-24 age group are most likely to include their pet in their wedding celebrations. Also Read: Covid common in pet dogs and cats, reveals study The survey found that 67 per cent people believe they can read each other's minds and most feel a pet positively influences their mental health. According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, there are several health benefits of owning a pet which includes encouragement for a person to exercise and importantly pets help to decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels. A pet also helps its owner to fight against loneliness, anxiety and symptoms of PTSD, the CDC claims. However, the top US health agency warns children below 5 and those over 65 are likely to get diseases spread by their animals with even pregnant women at risk. CDC says pets teach kids responsibility and compassion although children under 5 should be under supervision while interacting with them. (With inputs from Agencies)

People consider their pet a ‘soulmate’, reveals study

All pet parents love to post images and videos of their four-legged, furry pets on social media platforms. There is also no doubt that people love to look at these cute images too.

However, now the UK police department has warned pet parents against posting pictures and videos of their pets.

"The advice I would give from a police perspective is be aware of social media," Det Supt Neil Austin from the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s acquisitive crime unit cautioned.&nbsp;

"People share pictures of their dogs and puppies on social media and very often haven’t got their privacy settings set correctly, and they use tags which obviously show where you live which is something to be aware of," Austin added.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lady-gaga-offers-500000-reward-for-her-stolen-dogs-366342">Lady Gaga offers $500,000 reward for her stolen dogs</a>

This warning has come after a surge in the theft of puppies was observed. DogLost, a UK charity that helps pet parents locate their stolen dogs, recorded an alarming increase of 170 per cent of crime against dogs.&nbsp;

The number increased from 172 dogs in 2019 to 465 dogs in 2020. "Last March, due to lockdown, lots of people thought that this would be the best time to introduce a dog to the family. The demand grew really high, and some people bought them online without asking the diligent background questions you would usually asking when buying in person," Justine Quirk, from DogLost said.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/extra-set-of-cuteness-puppy-born-with-6-legs-and-2-tails-is-doing-well-366614">Extra set of cuteness: Puppy born with 6 legs and 2 tails is 'doing well'</a>

"When some people got wind at how expensive these dogs are, there was an increase of dog thefts by people who realised how valuable a commodity they are," Quirk added.

This has also come a few hours after the popstar Lady Gaga's two French bulldogs, Koji and Gustav, were stolen at gunpoint in Los Angeles, United States.

Later, on Friday, the two were handed over at LAPD's Olympic Community Police Station by a lady who has not been suspected of the armed robbery. "I can confirm that the dogs have been located and are safe," said Captain Jonathan Tippet.

Gaga had offered $500,000 as reward money to anyone who manages to locate and safely return her two dogs.

All pet parents love to post images and videos of their four-legged, furry pets on social media platforms. There is also no doubt that people love to look at these cute images too.

All pet parents love to post images and videos of their four-legged, furry pets on social media platforms. There is also no doubt that people love to look at these cute images too. However, now the UK police department has warned pet parents against posting pictures and videos of their pets. "The advice I would give from a police perspective is be aware of social media," Det Supt Neil Austin from the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s acquisitive crime unit cautioned. "People share pictures of their dogs and puppies on social media and very often haven’t got their privacy settings set correctly, and they use tags which obviously show where you live which is something to be aware of," Austin added. Also read| Lady Gaga offers $500,000 reward for her stolen dogs This warning has come after a surge in the theft of puppies was observed. DogLost, a UK charity that helps pet parents locate their stolen dogs, recorded an alarming increase of 170 per cent of crime against dogs. The number increased from 172 dogs in 2019 to 465 dogs in 2020. "Last March, due to lockdown, lots of people thought that this would be the best time to introduce a dog to the family. The demand grew really high, and some people bought them online without asking the diligent background questions you would usually asking when buying in person," Justine Quirk, from DogLost said. Also read| Extra set of cuteness: Puppy born with 6 legs and 2 tails is 'doing well' "When some people got wind at how expensive these dogs are, there was an increase of dog thefts by people who realised how valuable a commodity they are," Quirk added. This has also come a few hours after the popstar Lady Gaga's two French bulldogs, Koji and Gustav, were stolen at gunpoint in Los Angeles, United States. Later, on Friday, the two were handed over at LAPD's Olympic Community Police Station by a lady who has not been suspected of the armed robbery. "I can confirm that the dogs have been located and are safe," said Captain Jonathan Tippet. Gaga had offered $500,000 as reward money to anyone who manages to locate and safely return her two dogs.

Limit the cuteness: UK police warns against posting pictures of dogs amid surge in theft

Criminal gangs in the United Kingdom are capitalising on the demand for puppies which rose exponentially after the pandemic-induced lockdowns in the country. After demand rose, criminal gangs stole pedigree dogs which were then used for breeding as prices of pups quadrupled during the pandemic.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/dogs-provide-love-at-nursing-home-during-pandemic-351657/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Detective Superintendent Neil Austin from the National Police Chiefs' Council in conversation with Sky News said that the work from home model has triggered more people to buy puppies. Due to this, demand has increased, and so has the average price. The average cost of a puppy has gone up from £500 to £2,000.

Austin further claimed that the pet market had become lucrative for criminals, who then exploit it.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/dogs-and-their-owners-share-same-diabetes-risk-study-says-348996" hreflang="en">Dogs and their owners share same diabetes risk, study says</a>

One of the victims - Melissa Cole - whose two female springer spaniels - Jess and Tig were stolen, referred to the theft as "organised crime'' in conversation with Sky News. The dogs were stolen from a kennel in Bedforshire in September. Cole added that the thieves were able to trespass metal bars, alarms, and other security paraphernalia in place.

Cole added that she had received videos with ransom demands, and with messages from children who were reportedly being instructed what to say. Calling it "terrifying'', Cole added how giving in to ransom demands would simply encourage more thefts.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/dogs-are-mans-oldest-best-friends-dna-study-reveals-339010" hreflang="en">Dogs are man's oldest best friends, DNA study reveals</a>

Cole was able to retrieve Jess after a police raid. The dog was unfortunately in a bad condition, with Tig still missing.

It is possible that Tig was forwarded to breeders to create more offspring, in a bid to make more profit from the increasing demand. Many dog ownders like Cole fear that the dogs are being bred without being offered veterinary care.&nbsp;

Many animal activists are backing a change in law to classify stolen pets as property, and to increase the length of sentences to reflect the emotional toll it takes on victims.&nbsp;

Criminal gangs in the United Kingdom are capitalising on the demand for puppies which rose exponentially after the pandemic-induced lockdowns in the country. After demand rose, criminal gangs stole pedigree dogs which were then used for breeding as prices of pups quadrupled during the pandemic.

Criminal gangs in the United Kingdom are capitalising on the demand for puppies which rose exponentially after the pandemic-induced lockdowns in the country. After demand rose, criminal gangs stole pedigree dogs which were then used for breeding as prices of pups quadrupled during the pandemic. Detective Superintendent Neil Austin from the National Police Chiefs' Council in conversation with Sky News said that the work from home model has triggered more people to buy puppies. Due to this, demand has increased, and so has the average price. The average cost of a puppy has gone up from £500 to £2,000. Austin further claimed that the pet market had become lucrative for criminals, who then exploit it. Also read: Dogs and their owners share same diabetes risk, study says One of the victims - Melissa Cole - whose two female springer spaniels - Jess and Tig were stolen, referred to the theft as "organised crime'' in conversation with Sky News. The dogs were stolen from a kennel in Bedforshire in September. Cole added that the thieves were able to trespass metal bars, alarms, and other security paraphernalia in place. Cole added that she had received videos with ransom demands, and with messages from children who were reportedly being instructed what to say. Calling it "terrifying'', Cole added how giving in to ransom demands would simply encourage more thefts. Also read: Dogs are man's oldest best friends, DNA study reveals Cole was able to retrieve Jess after a police raid. The dog was unfortunately in a bad condition, with Tig still missing. It is possible that Tig was forwarded to breeders to create more offspring, in a bid to make more profit from the increasing demand. Many dog ownders like Cole fear that the dogs are being bred without being offered veterinary care. Many animal activists are backing a change in law to classify stolen pets as property, and to increase the length of sentences to reflect the emotional toll it takes on victims.

How are criminal gangs in UK capitalising on increasing demand for puppies?

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People consider their pet a ‘soulmate’, reveals study

Limit the cuteness: UK police warns against posting pictures of dogs amid surge in theft

How are criminal gangs in UK capitalising on increasing demand for puppies?