According to statistics from the American Kennel Club, pet kidnapping is on the rise.
It’s a statistic that’s difficult to track, to be sure. Pet theft is categorized with other property theft in official police reports, so the AKC and other groups have to rely on anecdotal evidence. But law enforcement agencies agree that pet theft — especially dog theft — is higher in 2008 than in the past. In the first half of the year, the AKC caught wind of three times as many dog thefts as there were in the first half of 2007.
Why steal a pet?
- It’s a cheap and easy way to acquire a family pet.
- It’s a cheap and easy way to give a pet as a gift. Law enforcement agencies noticed pet thefts happening close to Valentine’s Day this year, for example.
- It seems like a quick and easy way to make money — especially when dealing with purebreds. Steal a dog and sell it quickly for a profit.
- Many people are willing to pay a big reward for the return of a missing pet. Steal a pet and pretend that you “found” it.
According to the AKC, some of the more frequently stolen breeds include: Yorkshire terriers, poodles, Pomeranians, shih tzhs, bulldogs, and corgis. All smaller dogs! But that doesn’t mean big dogs are safe — mastiffs and other big dogs have also been targets of theft. Pets in pet stores and shelters aren’t safe, either. A small animal can easily be slipped into a jacket or pocketbook when an employee’s back is turned.
A few things you can do to help prevent a pet kidnapping:
- Don’t leave your pets unattended in a car. Someone could break into your car and steal your pet.
- Don’t tie your dog outside a store while you run errands. It’s all too easy to walk up and untie that leash and walk away with your dog.
- Don’t buy pets at flea markets or out of somebody’s van. Don’t support people selling pets that might be stolen. Find your pets from a breeder or shelter instead (goodness knows there are plenty of shelter pets that need homes).