THE PET DETECTIVE

BUT I'M NOT ACE VENTURA, SAYS INVESTIGATOR WHO HAS SOLVED HUNDREDS OF CASES INCLUDING A DOG TAKEN AS COLLATERAL BY LANDLORD

- By ELEANOR FLEMING

A PET detective, whose hundreds of solved cases include a landlord taking a dog over unpaid rent, has said he is a “terrier who won't give up” and not Ace Ventura.

Simon Henson, 50, a private investigator and the managing director of Titan Private Investigation, started his career with Nottinghamshire Police before moving on to pet crimes and mysteries involving cats, dogs and horses.

From dealing with spouses and family members stealing pets out of spite to reuniting a woman with her beloved childhood horse who was sold some 15 years prior, Simon said every day is different and he tries to “get to the bottom of every single case”

Although Simon does not wear Ace Ventura’s signature Hawaiian shirt at work or shout out, “Alrighty then!”, he said he is asked about the 1994 film starring Jim Carrey at least once a fortnight, saying it makes him “laugh every time’.

With 2021 statistics gathered by The Kennel Club revealing 98% of dog theft criminals are never charged, and in more than half of cases a suspect is never identified, Simon feels his work is more important than ever.

Offering his top tips, Simon said pet owners must get their dogs microchipped, as it is compulsory in England, Scotland and Wales; ensure their gardens are secured; invest in insurance such as Napo Pet Insurance; and not leave their pets unattended.

Simon said: “When I speak to people about it, they just relate you to Ace Ventura and Jim Carrey and think you're a bit of a laughing stock ... but it’s very different in reality.

“Everything we do has to be intelligence-based and the evidence needs to be gathered lawfully, unlike Jim Carrey as Ace Ventura. We're certainly seeing more and more pet thefts coming through, the industry’s booming.”