Knowing what I know about my family’s pet dogs, I cannot imagine anyone else wanting to welcome them into their home. They each have their own needs, quirks and bad habits. But, of course, we love them and they are definitely part of the family. Using Mr. T as the model for what I would transform myself into if anyone should ever try to dognap any of our beloved canines, I can only say that I would “pity the fool” who would ever try to snatch one of our dogs away from us.
The crime of dognapping has skyrocketed as the economy has continued to languish. According to Lisa Peterson, communications director for the American Kennel Club, “Dognappings have risen 49 percent in the country in the past year.” She recently stated on Good Morning America that “Dogs have been stolen from pet stores, from breeders and from right under their owners’ noses.”
Who would have thought that Jim Carrey’s “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” movie would actually spark a new breed of private detective? Now, if your dog goes missing, you can actually call a detective. A Venice, Calif. couple, John Husky and Dina Martinez were heartbroken when their 4-month-old puppy, Mr. James Brown, was stolen. They decided to hire a private eye to help them get their dog back.
They found Annalisa Berns of Pet Search and Rescue, a growing California-based company, and she took the case. Berns brought in a search dog that picked up Mr. James Browns’ scent, but lost the trail before finding the culprit. She recommended a reward offer and, in this case, the dog was returned. Of course, most victimized dog owners are not so lucky. Dog thieves usually make more money on a re-sale than they do for a reward.
Puppies are at the top of the list of what dognappers prize the most. If the puppy is a purebred, the thieves salivate that much more. There is a market for just about every breed and size of dog, so owners should not think that they are safe because they own a particular type of dog.
I read one report that made it very clear why every dog is at risk. While most people think that the primary market for dog thieves is the costly purebred that can be sold to someone who wants to save money in purchasing an expensive breed, there are a number of other outlets for selling dogs that don’t care what the dog costs or what it looks like. In addition to stealing dogs for pets, they are also being taken to supply specimens for lab research and to dog fighters who use them as bait to train their best fighting dogs.
When it comes to protecting your pet dog(s), I believe you need to develop a mindset that is similar to that of safeguarding small children. You wouldn’t tie a child up and have them wait for you in front of the post office or convenience store. Don’t treat your dog that way. Don’t handle business while you are walking the dog. Also, it is not a good idea to leave your dog unattended in your car.
It is not a good idea to leave a dog outside in the yard when you are not home. If a dog thief knows this is the pattern, it makes it easy for them to steal your dog. It is a good idea to have your veterinarian microchip your dog so it is permanently identified.
If you ever wind up believing that your dog has been stolen, call the police and animal control right away. As soon as possible blanket the area with flyers. Ask all local media outlets to inform the public that someone is stealing dogs in the community, so more people will be looking for yours and on high alert to protect their own. Fast action will increase your chances of getting your dog back.
http://liarcatchers.com/missingpersons.html
