Dog Theft on the Rise: How to Protect Your Pet

According to an August 18, 2011 ABC news report, dog napping or theft has risen 49 percent this past year. Reports speculate that it is possibly due to the poor economy, as some will steal anything to turn a buck. Stolen dogs can be quickly sold on places like Facebook, Craigslist or a simple newspaper ad. Some dogs are even being stolen and used for bait dogs in dog fighting rings.

Protecting Your Dog from being Stolen

It is a shame that we have to safe guard our dogs so closely these days, but the awful truth is, your pet could be stolen very quickly and in ways you may not think of. If you don't already, it is time to start giving your dog with the same watchful eye that you do your children. If you wouldn't let your child venture very far away, don't let your dog either.

Just because you have a fenced yard, you think your dog is safe, right? I have a large privacy fence around my back yard. People laugh because my two Shih Tzus are not allowed out in the yard unless I am there to supervise there every move. It only takes a second for someone to open the gate and snatch them. I wouldn't even see a vehicle or a person because of the fence. I choose to be safe, rather then sorry.

Would you allow your child to run all over a play ground with out keeping a watchful eye them? Treat your dog the same way if you go to a dog park. Just like kidnappers stalk play grounds, a dognapper may be stalking and watching as your dog runs and plays with his canine friends. This dognapper will also be watching to see who is paying attention to their pet and who is not.

Be weary of any strangers asking questions about your pet. Casual pet talk between dog owners is one thing, but even if a stranger has a dog in the park, don't tell them if your dog is micro chipped, registered or any other pertinent information that sounds just a bit "too nosy." They may be looking to find out if the dog would be easily traceable.

Know All of Your Dog Service Providers

Pets have been reported stolen from groomers, pet stores and pet sitters. You wouldn't hire some stranger out of the paper to watch your child would you? Know exactly who you are dealing with before you hand your pet over to them. Talk to your groomer and ask how secure their facility is before you leave your pet. What if someone walks in and says, "Hi, I am here to pick of Fido for Jane Smith"? Would the groomer call you to verify, or would she just hand over your precious pet?

Doggy daycare is a great place for your pet if you work long hours or need to be gone for several days. Tour a doggy daycare facility just like you would if you were leaving your child in a day care. If the dogs are left outside in a play area unattended, this should raise a red flag. If it appears that people just walk in and out and play with various animals, this too might signal that it is not a safe place for your dog.

Have you ever seen a dog tied to a pole in front of a store? Anyone could quickly untie that leash and walk away with the dog. Never leave your dog unattended outside a store, whether it is tied to a pole or sitting in your car. "I was only just running in for five minutes" could quickly turn into, "Oh no, where's my dog?"

To you, your dog is part of the family, to a dognapper, he or she is just a way to turn a fast buck. If you have a gorgeous female, the thief may see all kinds of dollar signs by using your dog as a breeder in a filthy puppy mill. Any dog will do as a bait dog to teach another one to fight. Can you imagine the horrible fate of a dog tossed into a dog fighting ring?

Your dog is part of the family, so you have to safeguard them from being stolen just as closely as any other family member. Be alert or your dog could be gone!

More by this contributor:
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Safe Ways to Transport Pets to Another State