Dog theft is on the rise all over the country. According to the American Kennel Club, 2 million dogs are stolen every year in the United States.
More than 80% of missing pets are never found, according to PEEVA Pet Microchip Co.
About 87 million households in the United States have pets, which is about 65% of all households, according to the American Pet Products Association.
Why do crooks steal our beloved dogs? I believe it is meanness and greed.
The worst of the worst steals dogs for illegal dog-fighting clubs searching for large strong breeds for their cruel matches, as well as smaller dogs to use as bait for their champion fighters.
Many purebred dogs that are stolen are either small breeds or puppies. Their small size makes it easier for the thief to grab them up and less likely for these cowardly criminals to get bitten.
These criminals then may wait for the owner to post “Lost Dog” notices with rewards. They then contact the owner that they have found the dog and collect the reward.
They may also sell the dog to brokers at flea markets. Often, they post the dog for sale on Craigslist or on Facebook Marketplace. These dogs could be sold to unreputable dealers and used for breeding in puppy mills.
Thieves may also contact people who post “Found Dog” notices. The dog nappers claim they are the dog’s owner and steal the dog. These dog-nappers are immoral people looking for a quick profit.
Popular Breeds to Steal
Malicious thieves are more likely to take popular or unusual breeds of dogs. French Bulldogs (AKA Frenchies), Shih Tzus and Bichon Frisés are presently extremely popular for thieves.
Frenchies are one of the current trending breeds and can be sold for up to $6,000.
They are often targeted by dognappers, and even Lady Gaga’s Frenchies were stolen during the day at gunpoint in Los Angeles while being walked by her dog walker.
The dog walker attempted to fight off the thieves and was beaten and shot. He recuperated and the dogs were eventually recovered.
Thieves in Connecticut stole dogs and altered their appearance by dyeing their hair and shaving their fur so owners and the police would not recognize them, according to Connecticut Dog Gone Recovery, a missing pet group.
The criminals’ motivation was to keep the dog for themselves or to sell the dog for profit.
Alterations in appearance make it hard for people to find their lost pals. The altered appearances also make it easier for the thieves to sell the expensive breeds online, as descriptions on fliers and social media became useless.
Mocho, a 3-year-old Frenchie, had her tan patches dyed black. The criminals released Mocho a month after stealing her once they realized she had been spayed and could not be used for breeding.
Altered Appearances
Another victim of these cruel makeovers was Marcus, an 8-year-old Shih Tzu mix, whose beige and brown coat was dyed a dark violet. His owner got a call from a woman who said she had the dog. He went to get it back and his dog was purple.
A 5-year-old Shih Tzu with fluffy hair was found shaved near Bridgeport, Connecticut. Owners who were desperate to reunite with their beloved pet relied on “found dog” photos shared by concerned individuals who had seen the “lost dog” fliers posted on CT Dog Gone Recovery’s Facebook page. The dog was reunited with the owner.
Another white Shih Tzu mix was recovered with red fur. Microchips saved the day.
CT Dog Gone Recovery has been actively involved in resolving missing dog cases, with an impressive 86% success rate in reuniting owners with their pets out of the 962 cases they worked on last year.
Sad Statistics
Only 20% of pets that go missing every year are found. Although we all love our dogs and consider them part of our family, the United States still considers dogs property rather than family members.
France and the United Kingdom now enforce strict penalties, including jail sentences, for dog theft, but U.S. criminals generally receive light penalties for stealing dogs.
Retired Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce Dudley says the charges are not as serious as they should be.
“It is basically a petty theft, or grand theft if we were able to prove a higher value of that particular animal or additional costs,” she said of prosecuting dog theft crimes.
You cannot guarantee your best friend will never be stolen, but in my next column I will give you advice on how to protect your dog from dognappers.