The first recorded case of dognapping in the UK involved the taking of Hi Joe, an uber-fast racing greyhound who went missing from his kennel in Essex on a frosty night in January 1965, sparking a nationwide search and capturing the attention of the international press.
The favourite for the Derby, Hi Joe was owned by prominent bookie Victor Chandler. At just two years old, he had won 10 out of 14 races, including all of his last six and had romped around the famous White City 525-yard track in a record 28.72 seconds, a feat he went on to repeat two weeks later. The Puppy of the Year for 1964 looked to be on course to challenge the legend of all-time champion dog Mick the Miller. Until his trainer arrived home from a night at the races to find him gone…
Duck on a Bike 