Two million dogs are stolen each year and about 10% are sent home, according to Petfinder.com. We call this dognapping – the crime of taking a dog from its owner, derived from the term abduction.
Around the world, pets are stolen for a variety of reasons, such as being resold as companion pets, to collect rewards from grieving owners, or to fight in dogfights, just to Name a few. In the last two and a half years, dog thefts have been on the rise in an attempt to make a quick buck as criminals seek to take advantage of the growing demand for canine companionship during the pandemic.
What are the top stolen dogs and from where?
According to the American Kennel Club’s Vice President of Public Relations, Brandi Hunter-Munden, some of the most stolen dogs in the United States are:
- Yorkshire Terrier
© Getty Images - Boston Terrier
- Chihuahua
- English Bulldogs
- Shih-Tzus
- Pit Bulls
- French Bulldogs
Brandi notes that over the years, owners will no doubt leave their dogs in their yard for a few minutes to let them “do business” or tie their pets outside the store for a quick errand. . “We now see dogs being stolen from homes, yards and cars, and pulled by their owners on the streets of the country,” she said.
Furthermore, Brandi explains that “many of these breeds are stolen directly from their owners because they are small, portable, docile, and don’t make a lot of noise when stolen.”
Who are the victims of dog theft?
Pet owners aren’t the only victims of pet theft. Dog breeders are also top candidates. For breeders like Patricia Sosa of Louisiana, there is a waiting list for her carefully bred French Bulldog supply. In her more than 30-year love affair with the breed, she had only one person who stole dogs by writing bad checks, almost 15 years ago.
“But in the last few years, because many French Bulldogs have been stolen from pet owners and breeders, I have had to take serious security precautions,” says Patricia. She carefully pre-screens applicants by phone and checks references before inviting potential dog owners to her home to see puppies.
“I never give them my address until the last minute possible to protect myself, my house, and my puppies,” she explains. Also, before inviting potential dog owners into her home, she explains to them that she has a security system and network of cameras covering the home, kennel, and the rest of the property. Finally, she tells them she has a guard dog – a Doberman that will show up when they visit her facility. “Equipped with this information, they can make a decision to go to my crib,” she said.
But breeders aren’t the only ones who have their dogs stolen. Many pet stores around the country have experienced dog thefts since the pandemic. In 2021, after two women walked into a pet store in Texas and asked to see a French Bulldog, the store complied. Once the dog was in their hands, the two immediately ran out the door. The store employee quickly reported the incident and described the vehicle to the police. Soon after, officers discovered the women were said to be trying to reattach the license plates they had removed in preparation for the theft.
Are criminal statutes and penalties different for K9 theft?
Dogs and other companion animals are now classified as “property” in the theft penalty. Therefore, the person who commits the crime of stealing a dog is sentenced to the same sentence as the thief of inanimate objects. Unfortunately, most states consider pet theft a misdemeanor, and penalties include small fines and little or no jail time.
Only about 15 states mention dog theft in their penal codes. Although criminal charges and penalties vary from state to state, California and Louisiana impose charges and penalties based on the monetary value of stolen dogs. However, Virginia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New York and Mississippi have strict criminal laws. In these states, dog theft is a felony with jail terms ranging from 6 months to 10 years. Additionally, fines start at $200 and can be equivalent to up to three times the value of the stolen animal, but not to exceed $500,000. A pretty wide range, too!
Animal advocates agree that penalties for dog theft should be harsher than those for theft of inanimate property. Recent studies and case studies have acknowledged that the relationship between animals and humans is unique, and that the effects of property labeling on dogs are ancient.
How can dog lovers help?
The Legitimate Animal Protection Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is an animal law advocacy organization with a stated mission to protect the lives and advance the welfare of animals through the legal system. The organization encourages animal lovers to take action by lobbying local, state and government agencies and representatives to change laws to protect animals.
If you want to help enact more state criminal statutes that impose harsher measures and higher penalties for dog theft, organize and meet fellow dog owners. and working with animal rights organizations to change pet theft laws.
One last thing: If you have a pet theft, be patient, diligent, active, and don’t give up. He can be returned to you.
How to prevent dog theft
You can take steps to make sure that you and your dog are not targets for dog capture.
- Microchip for your dog, register the microchip with the microchip agency and stay up to date.
- Have your dog wear a collar with your phone number and ID tag with relevant and current information, such as your email address and the word “Reward.”
- Ask your dog to wear a GPS tracker that can track your dog in real time to determine its location.
- Do not leave the same doormats or flags on the outside of your home, as this serves as an advertisement for thieves.
- Keep all doors locked and close windows when you are not at home. Install cameras in your home that focus on key entry points.
- Do not leave your dog unattended in the yard, in your car, or tied up outside the store.
- Be wary of strangers coming up to you to talk about your dog. Don’t give them any information about where you live, how often you walk your dog, or your dog’s name.
- Try to walk your dog during the day, varying the time slightly. Thieves look for consistent dog walking behavior.
- Pay attention to your environment. Watch for parked cars in your area and watch out for pedestrians who don’t seem “fit”.
- Please watch your carefully
dogs in a dog park and do not walk your dog in your neighborhood.
What to do if your dog is stolen?
If dognapping happens to you, take the following steps immediately.
- Security experts agree that if your dog is stolen, don’t try to chase the attackers or jump in the car with them as you could be seriously injured or even shot.
- Write down as much as you can about the thief or thieves and the car out.
- Call the police and report with as many details as you can remember.
- Call your microchip company so people in your area will receive a lost pet alert and take precautions.
- Reach out to local missing pets and neighborhood groups on social media. Post photos of your pets and give them a thorough description. Post on your own social feed to advertise!
- Make a flyer that includes photos of your pet’s face and body, offering a reward for information that helps them recover safely. Do not indicate that he has been stolen, as there is a chance that the thief may want to return him and avoid prosecution. Post flyers in your area, including at local dog parks or where large groups of people congregate.
- Contact local veterinary offices, grocers, doggie sitters, boarding facilities and shelters, as thieves may want to drop it there.
- Write a letter to the local media (press, radio and TV) including a picture and full description of your dog and an explanation of what happened. Tell them a heartfelt story about what your dog means to you. If you find out that other dogs in your neighborhood have been stolen, include that. This could get them to report your story as well as the dog crime wave so residents will be on the lookout for your dogs – and beware of themselves.
- Watch out for scammers who may call you to claim a reward or ask for your dog’s money back.
- Regularly review online postings about pet adoptions and pet sales.
- Do not give up!
Why do some pups get dognaps more than others
Several factors contribute to why some dogs are stolen more than others are desirable breeds nowadays which are rare, trendy and very hard to get people especially Bulldog French – a breed that is considered a prime candidate for theft.
Brandi Hunter-Munden, vice president of the AKC, said: “Frenchies have become trendy due to their presence on social media, especially on Instagram, as well as images representing their breed, which have can be found on bed sheets, sweaters, phone cases, and in advertising campaigns.” Public Relations.
Another factor contributing to the breed’s popularity is that many French Bulldogs are owned by celebrities such as Lady Gaga (who is famous and intensely bred in 2021), Dwayne Johnson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Martha Stewart, Snoop Dogg, Madonna and Reese Witherspoon. And, with a hefty price tag – starting at $4K and up, there’s an implied elite status in owning this breed.
In the case of French Bulldogs, the demand outweighs the supply and it must be understood why the breed is a prime contender to be stolen. French Bulldogs have smaller litters, providing a limited supply for such voracious demand.
