Almost 200 domestic animals are being stolen from homes and farms across the province each year in what is developing into a “big industry”, it emerged today.

Dogs, cattle, sheep, birds, fish and sheep are just some of the animals being targeted by thieves who are netting hundreds of thousands of pounds every year by selling and trafficking the stolen pets and farm animals.

New Government figures released to MP Lady Sylvia Hermon show that almost 1,000 domestic animals were stolen within a five year period.

With huge profits in the illegal puppy farm business, pedigree dogs are the most sought after animals for thieves.

A total of 332 dogs were reported stolen over the past five financial years.

The USPCA said that anyone considering buying a pedigree puppy should make sure they purchase from a legitimate registered breeder to help stop the thefts and trafficking.

“You have the power to stop traffickers in their tracks by applying basic common sense.

“By killing off the cash flow we will put a stop to an evil trade that nets Northern Ireland's traffickers a fortune each year, dirty money derived from peddling misery to both pets and people,” said USPCA chief executive Stephen Philpott.

According to the charity, horses are being stolen to order and sold on at horse fairs, while cattle and sheep are being trafficked across the border.

The statistics show that from 2003/04 to 2007/08 almost 200 cattle, 142 sheep, 64 horses, 22 rabbits and four goats were recorded by the PSNI as stolen.

Other animals that have been targeted by thieves include birds — which can fetch up to £500 each — fish, reptiles and rodents.

The USPCA today urged animal owners to microchip their pets when possible as it will make them easier to trace.

UUP MLA for South Down John McCallister, a self-employed dairy farmer, warned that animal theft “is developing into a big industry”.

Mr McCallister added that there are not only financial implications for farmers and animal owners but that there are also health risks.

“Farmers lose big money when their animals are stolen but there could also be animal health risks if the animal is stolen from a restricted herd. Also, sometimes these animals can fall into the hands of people who do not know how to look after them porperly, ” he said.

He added that animal theft should be dealt with as seriously as other property theft.

“The justice system needs to take this seriously and to show that it will not be tolerated,” he said.