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WARNING
DOG THEFTS
Subject: AKC says rise in dog thefts
The
American Kennel Club® is warning pet owners and breeders
about an alarming rise in dog thefts in recent months.
From parking lots to pet stores and even backyards, more
dogs are disappearing. In the first three months of
2008, the AKC has tracked more than 30 thefts from news
and customer reports, versus only ten for all twelve
months of 2007.
Media
reports have chronicled the escalation of these "dog-nappings"
from all around the country. Incidents have included
armed robbers entering a breeder's home, tiny puppies
being stuffed into purses at pet stores and most
recently, purebred pets being snatched from cars in
parking lots and even shelters. "The value of pets in
people's lives has been on the rise for a long time and
now we are seeing thieves trying to capitalize on this.
Whether they seek to resell the dog, collect a ransom or
breed the dogs and sell their offspring, thieves seem to
be attuned to the increased financial and emotional
value pets have in our lives," said AKC spokesperson
Lisa Peterson. "Losing a treasured family pet is
devastating to the owner." "Criminals look for
weaknesses and exploit them. They know pets can't
protect themselves, so that means owners need to be
alert," said Lt. John Kerwick, a law enforcement K-9
handler and the President of the U.S. Police Canine
Association, Region 7. "Be wary of anyone who approaches
you and asks too many questions about your dog or where
you live. This is a red flag that they may be out to
snatch your pet."
Peterson added that "These 'dog-nappers' are misguided
and naive. They're stealing living beings, not jewelry
that can be pawned. Plus, it's unlikely that they can
sell the dogs for high prices without proper
registration papers, and these inept criminals are not
realistically going to collect a ransom. Caring for a
dog -- and especially breeding -- is a time consuming
endeavor that requires a lot of knowledge. Thieves will
find themselves with a frightened and confused animal
that needs a lot of care."
The AKC
offers the following advice to prevent your "best
friend" from being a target of a crime:
At Home
Don't let your dog off-leash" Keeping your dog close to
you reduces the likelihood it will wander off and catch
the attention of thieves. A Saint Bernard that had
wandered away from his owner in Nebraska was snatched up
right off the road.
Don't
leave your dog unattended in your yard" Dogs left
outdoors when no one is home for long periods of time
can be potential targets, especially if you live in a
rural area and the fenced-in yard or dog runs are
visible from the street. Keep purchase price to yourself
" If strangers approach you to admire your dog during
walks, don't answer questions about how much the dog
cost or give details about where you live.
Breeders need to be aware of home visits by potential
puppy buyers.
Criminals posing as would be "puppy buyers" have visited
breeder homes to snatch dogs, while other homes have
been burglarized when the owner was away. From Yorkies
in Los Angeles to Bulldogs in Connecticut, thieves have
targeted young puppies of these highly coveted breeds.
On the
Road
Never
leave your dog in an unattended car, even if it's locked
Even if
you are gone for only a moment, an unlocked car is an
invitation for trouble. Also leaving expensive items in
the car such as a GPS unit or laptop will only invite
thieves to break and possibly allow the dog to escape.
Don't tie your dog outside a store " This popular
practice among city dwelling dog owners can be a recipe
for disaster. Reports have surfaced of such thefts in
Manhattan. If you need to go shopping, patronize only
dog-friendly retailers or leave the dog at home. Be
vigilant when entering or leaving establishments or
venues catering to dogs such as grooming salons,
veterinarians, doggie day care or hotels " Be aware of
your surroundings, such as slow moving vehicles, or
people watching you and your dog. Carry pepper spray as
a precaution and, if possible, don't walk alone late at
night or stay in a well lit area.
Recovery Protect your dog with microchip identification
"Collars and tags can be removed so make sure you have
permanent ID with a microchip. Keep contact information
current with your recovery service provider. Several
pets have been recovered because of alert people
scanning and discovering microchips. For more
information and to enroll your pet in a 24 hour recovery
service visit
www.akccar.org
. If you suspect your dog has been stolen " Immediately
call the police / animal control in the area your pet
was last seen. Have fliers with a recent photo ready to
go if your dog goes missing"
Keep a photo of your dog in your wallet or on an easily
accessible web account so that you can distribute
immediately if your pet goes missing. |