Safety in our lives in general is much more complicated than it used to be.
We have our secret passwords to protect out personal information, many of us have cameras in and around our homes, and we have home and car alarms.
Some of us have personal theft identity insurance, we secure our cloud accounts and upgrade our devices.
The list goes on and on, but what about protecting our dogs from theft?
In my July 22 column, I wrote about the extent of dognapping in the United Sates, where an estimated 2 million dogs are stolen each year. These thieves are ruthless and cruel.
Many dogs that are stolen are the smaller sized purebred breeds or are puppies.
Purebred dogs often bring more money when resold. The smaller a dog is, the easier for the thief to grab. Cowardly thieves have less chance of being bitten by small dogs or puppies.
Dognappers may wait for the owner to post “Lost Dog” notices with rewards and then return the dog to their owner. They act as if they are good Samaritans who found the dog and then they collect the award.
Or the thieves sell stolen the dogs to brokers at flea markets, or post them for sale on Craigslist or on Facebook Marketplace.
These sneaky dog thieves can also be filling a “special order” from some cunning dog broker. Many stolen dogs are transported out of your city, state and occasionally country. Dog smuggling has become a lucrative business.
Common Tactics of Dog Thieves
Dog thieves know when there is the perfect opportunity to steal. Dogs are frequently stolen out of the owner’s backyard. In an area where houses are far apart and there is a Neighborhood Watch, this is not as much of a risk.
But in a busy neighborhood where people do not pay much attention, the dog can be quickly taken.
Dog thieves may also be home burglars. What I mean by that is it is not unusual for them to rob a home and to also steal the dog.
Dog thieves may also just grab a dog out of an owner’s arms while they walk down a city street.
When bringing your dog to a dog park, always keep your dog in your line of sight and close enough to call him or her.
Dognappers wait for an opening when the owners are distracted, or owners leave their dogs to explore on their own. They use this opportunity to snatch the pup before the owner notices.
Be sure your dog has an ID tag and a current license. Microchip and register your dog. A microchip does not help if your information is not attached to the chip.
In my old pet hospital, we reunited many lost dogs and cats with their owners after scanning the microchip. GPS collars help you know where your dog is. The problem is that thieves are hip to these and remove the collar as soon as they grab your dog.
Spay or neuter your dog. Thieves want breeding dogs for puppy mills.
Giving a dog away for “free” on your own can cause that dog harm. Free dogs can be used as breeding animals, used in dog fighting clubs, or sold to the highest bidder.
It is best to give a dog you cannot care for to a foster group or Animal Services. They typically are sure the dog is spayed, neutered, microchipped and trained. They care for the dog and investigate the new owner before releasing the dog into their care.
Preventive Measures to Safeguard Your Dog
Dog thieves often watch for “Dog Found” fliers or postings and pretend they are the owners. If you find a dog that is lost, ask the person who says it is their dog to show you proof of ownership such as their veterinarian, vaccine records or just multiple photos (as we all have on our phones) of the dog, especially home with the family.
Do not post public photos of your pets on social media, especially with identifying markers like your home address or street signs in the background, their doggy day care name, where you take them to get groomed, or places you visit on a regular basis such as dog parks or certain stretches of the beach.
If your dog is stolen, call the police and animal control. You can also call or drop off fliers at local veterinarian hospitals.
Go online looking at local breeders selling your breed of dog on Craigslist and so forth. Make a color flier with your dog’s name, markings, color, photo and breed, along with where your dog was last seen and a contact number.
Adding that your dog needs medical attention can elicit a quicker response from neighbors while also deterring a thief from keeping the dog.
Post the fliers at the local shelter and community boards, as well as throughout the neighborhood.
A digital copy of the flier or something similar should be posted on social media on your pages and local lost dog pages. Monitor sales on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for pictures or mentions of your dog.
If you believe you have identified the person who may have stolen your dog, contact the police. Do NOT approach and confront them as this may be unsafe. They may relocate or remove your dog from the area before you are able to get to rescue.
If someone claims to have found your dog and you are offering a reward, ask questions about the identity of the dog to make sure that they are yours. Maybe have them text a photo of your dog.
Everyday Precautions to Keep Your Dog Safe
You should never leave your dog alone in the car. Besides overheating within minutes, thieves can break the car’s window and steal your pal.
I sometimes see a dog tied up outside of a store, waiting patiently for its owner. It is defenseless to a dog thief when left alone for even a moment, especially if the dog is friendly.
Keep your dog close and train them well to come when called.