I don’t know about you, but I can think of a billion worries that I have about my dog. Is he healthy, is he exercised enough, does he like his food? I worry he’s bored or that he feels rejected when I leave him alone. I even worry about how depressed he always looks when we’re in the car. You know what I haven’t worried about until today? Someone dognapping him!
Perhaps I don’t have to worry about that anyway, since my rescue mutt isn’t a particularly blue blood canine, but if you do happen to have something fancy (we hope you got it from a fancy rescue organization, just sayin’), you may want to keep lil’ Foofoo under close watch.
According to the American Kennel Club, dognapping is up 32% over last year, and they say the incentive is largely one of financial gain.
So far, 224 pets have been reported stolen in 2011, up from 150 stolen in the same time period in 2010, and 162 total pet thefts report in 2009. These pets have been stolen from cars, yards, houses, pet stores – even ripped out of a child’s arms on a park bench!
The AKC says that thieves take the dogs for financial gain, either to sell, give as gifts or potentially hold for ransom.
Other than buying a baby backpack and carrying your dog around like an ambition new parent, there are a few things you can do to prevent a canine snatching.
- Be sure your dog is micro-chipped and always has an id on him.
- Always keep him on a leash when you’re out and about.
- Make sure that your gate locks properly in your yard.
- Run like the wind if a stranger starts asking weird questions about him. For example, if someone approaches you holding a large fishing net and inquires “How much is that marvelous beast worth?” your answer should be “No more than $3.57.” Then you run.
A gentle reminder not to lock your dog in the car when you’re running errands in these hot summer months. Even with the windows cracked, the car is too hot!
