more dogs get kidnapped for money
By Laura Petrecca, USA TODAYUpdated 13h 10m ago Comments 89 Here's yet another sign the economy has gone to the dogs: Money-seeking thieves are pilfering pooches and selling them for profit For the first seven months of 2011, reports of stolen dogs rose 49%, according to the American Kennel Club. About 224 were snatched, compared with 150 in the same period last year. In 2008, 71 thefts were recorded by the AKC's database of customer and media reports. That rose to 162 in 2009 and 255 in 2010. Canines have been taken from homes, pet stores, shelters, cars, parks and city streets, says AKC spokeswoman Lisa Peterson. "The motivation is money and economics," she says. Some thieves falsify where they got the dogs, then sell them via the Internet, at flea markets or at roadside stands. Others pretend they "found" the dog after a reward-seeking flier is posted so they can collect the gratuity. All types of dogs are stolen, but small breeds such as Yorkies and Pomeranians are abducted more often than others. Those pups are "popular in general and easier to steal based on size," says Peterson. Abductors also know that dog-seekers will pay a bundle for a new best friend. The average amount spent to buy a dog hit $364 in 2010, up from $221 in 2008, according to the American Pet Products Association. Some dog thieves want a pet for themselves, a friend or a child but don't want to pay to purchase or adopt it, says Peterson. "Everyone knows how wonderful it is to have a dog," she says. "That's what makes them a target." Slightly more than 46 million U.S. households have dogs, according to APPA. Nine out of 10 owners say their dog brings them companionship and love. And 70% say a key benefit of ownership is that the pooch becomes a part of the family. Peterson mentions one burglary where perpetrators "took not only the 55-inch television, but also Boo Boo the Yorkie." For some criminals, the lap dog can be more valuable than the laptop. "We've seen car break-ins with the dog taken, but the GPS and laptop left," she says. To reduce the chance of a dog-napping, keep pets on a leash, and never leave an unattended dog outside of a store, says pet safety specialist Ines de Pablo. Boastful owners can unintentionally pique the interest of criminals, she says. "Watch the bragging, and don't mention price (paid for the pet) in public." She and Peterson advise owners to keep a current photo of Fido. The picture can be used for "missing" flyers, as well as distributed to police, neighbors, veterinarians and shelters if a pet goes missing. Another safety device: pet-identifying microchips that are implanted under the dog's skin. These tiny chips can help a vet or shelter employee identify the true owner if a stolen dog is taken to their facility. While it's devastating to have a pet disappear, all hope isn't lost. Snatched pups have been recovered, says Peterson. "A lot of times people will steal a dog, and then realize how difficult it is to keep a live animal until they can sell it," she says. "So sometimes a dog miraculously shows up at a shelter." |
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| Hello, Wow. Is it true? People steal dogs for ransom? I have not owned a dog for ten plus years, and, missed a whole chapter. Or is it the recession? Or sensational news? Economy? Recession? My former pets were Airedale terriers and those doggies are high on 'cuteness' but standoffish or aloof. Only one of the three would accept food from a stranger, and she could have taken the hand as well. But this rescue OES has FOOD/EAT on the brain. As if: that key is stuck on his keyboard. Or it's a sub-routiene attached to the friendlness/cuteness program. I believe it is a combination of his instinct and his not-so-wonderful previous life on the streets fending for himself. He has a microchip in left shoulder, but no tattoo. Ch. Briggsdale Ramrod had my social security number inked near his boy attachments. The second Rodney, his left ear. And Bielka was on her own; we often joked that if someone 'took her' they would pay "US" just to take her back. However, I have been patient with Tristin's behaviours, and can accept that this food thing just comes with the breed. I feed 3 cups Eukenuba 2x a day, he has gained over 15 lbs. since July and no ribs show. At just over 75 lbs I like his weight but he doesn't seem as agile. For the first month, and still today, I would lay on the floor and wisper 'Trist' and 'good' in his ear. But 'eat' always gets his attention. So,his instincts are for the herd, (most anyone/anything is welcome to join our herd) and their wellbeing. I have called him off three rabbits, a gaggle of deer (in our own backyard) a very large red fox and several people, with only my voice. Further, he is as 'trainable' as the 'dales' and much more loving. Excellent on leash. No training treats. Protective, barks for a reason, and is very reluctant to climb up on the furniture. But, he would probably head for the hills with a stranger, woman, or little kid with food or the possibility of getting something to eat. Any thoughts??? Art |
| I have a friend who had their OES stolen from out in their front yard. It was a long long time ago. Moral of the story, don't leave your dog outside unattended! |
| again with my question on another thread... can gps chips be put it dogs??? |
ruforgvn wrote: again with my question on another thread... can gps chips be put it dogs??? I don't the technology exists yet to be able to put a small GPS chip under the skin of an animal. Currently, I think they have those in a tag that hangs from the collar or as part of the collar itself. I think one of the problems is power. The current GPS solutions need power from a battery. How do you implant something that needs battery power? |
| hmmm. I wonder if it could be "dormant" until needed, then have some type of battery for a short time. probably read too many novels and watch too many MI movies. but... it would be great if someone COULD design something like this |
| lori, the microchip is one of the greatest technological aids to returning lost or stolen pets to their owners. As valuable as they are, however, GPS microchips are not currently commercially available due to the limitations of current technology. yes, it is the limitations of the batteries. mark is quite correct.  art, there have been cases here where dogs have been stolen from yards. i have seen cases of puppy mill people steal and take them thousands of miles away and those who are stolen to be sold typically far away over the internet.  you have to use your best judgement of your own yard, fence and neighborhood. trist and most wigglebums will gladly go with polite strangers unfortunately. mine were never out in fenced yard without someone home and the gates were all closer to the house. on a lighter note; i love the story in florida a couple years ago of a sheepie running loose. a cab driver pulled up to pickup a woman, opened the car door and the sheepie jumped in. said sheepie would not get out. driver asked the woman if the dog was her's when she came out. nope, had never seen him. so the dog sat in the front seat while he took this woman to her destination. driver went back to that neighborhood and opened the car door, out he went down the street like thanks for the ride, but i've gotta get home.   |
| Hello, Since we live alone, together; with the exception of my teener daughter, who may sleep here, or not, I must leave my OES all alone, outdoors, sometimes. And the weather here can change quickly at 7k ft. altitude it can snow or rain or just be 'nice'. Therefore. I have devised a LAN : a camera focused on the small kennel (4x4), and another on the main approach to our huge back yard we call 'the outback'. All networked, lit and recorded. So far, so good. Art |
CamVal1 wrote: I don't the technology exists yet to be able to put a small GPS chip under the skin of an animal. Currently, I think they have those in a tag that hangs from the collar or as part of the collar itself. I think one of the problems is power. The current GPS solutions need power from a battery. How do you implant something that needs battery power? Way back in 1974 my dad had an implanted pacemaker that was supposed to let ten years and it was the size of a hockey puck. Certainly technology has moved to the point to make a simple GPS transponder small enough that would outlast the average pet's life as no one would want to go back in to replace a battery. Like anything else, if enough people start clammering for it, someone will make it. Heck, if the price was right, I'd buy them for both dogs simply for the novelty of it. Vance |
| I think I saw a GPS collar for dogs...but then again, anyone stealing a dog can easily remove the collar... The way my dogs bark and go crazy at our fence when they are out keeps anyone away!  |
| Our two are the same way. Nothing happens in their yard without the entire neighborhood knowing about it. Everyone knows we have these two, and most know me and my rather abrasive personality when rubbed the wrong way...  The up side of having homes on both sides of me now abandoned, some folks think it was BECAUSE of me and they tend to leave us alone Vance |
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