Dognapping on the rise

An article on MSNBC today highlights an alarming trend - an increase in the number of dogs being kidnapped by professional pet thieves.

There is a high demand for certain breeds that can be re-sold, particularly the toy breeds such as Chihuahuas, Yorkshire terriers and Maltese. Dognappers also know that they may be able to demand a ransom for a beloved family member or they may "find" an animal for which a reward has been offered for the pet's safe return. One other reason pets are stolen wasn't mentioned in the article, but is even more sinister - pets and strays are often taken for use as bait animals in illegal dogfighting operations.

Here are some ways you can reduce the risk of your dog being stolen:

• Register your dog so that the local animal control has a record of who owns it.


• Don't leave your dog unattended in a yard if at all possible, but if you don't have a choice, keep gates and doors to your home locked.


• Never leave your dog unattended in the car, even if it is locked.


• Never leave your dog tied up outside a store or restaurant.


• Protect your dog by making sure he is wearing ID tags and has a microchip. This is one of the best ways to identify your pet and make it more likely to be recovered. For more information on microchips, go to http://www.akccar.org/ (the AKC Companion Animal Recovery program) and http://www.homeagain.com/.


• When you take your dog for a walk, be sure to keep it on leash so it can't wander off.


• Be vigilant and aware of people watching you or your dog; stay in well-lit areas and keep a cell phone handy at all times.


• If someone approaches you to ask about your dog, don't divulge details, especially not the purchase price of your dog or where you live.


• If purchasing a dog via an advertisement, be careful you are not buying stolen goods. Ask for some proof of ownership, e.g., American Kennel Club registration papers, veterinary records or microchip registration.

If your pet does go missing, there are a number of things you can do, or services you can engage, to increase the chances of finding them - we covered some of this in an earlier post on lost pets.

Families take natural precautions to make sure their children are not targets for kidnappers, similar care will protect your furry companions too.