Dog Theft Up By 32% This Year, Says American Kennel Club

Hold on tight to your precious pooches. Dog theft is up, says the American Kennel Club (AKC).

The organization's national database shows at least a 32 percent jump in thefts this year. The Chicago Sun Times writes that the numbers come from media reports of stolen dogs and customers who phone AKC's Companion Animal Recovery service.

So far, 224 pets have been reported stolen in 2011, compared to the 150 stolen during the same period of seven months in 2010. Newsmax.com points out this is a major increase from the 162 thefts reported in total during 2009.

AKC spokeswoman Lisa Peterson told the Chicago Sun Times, "Some are taken out of homes, some are taken out of cars, some are taken out of pet stores." Peterson added, "I've even seen some taken out of a child's arms on a park bench."

The motivation for this rise in dog thefts most likely boils down to a financial one. AKC suggests the thief might try to sell a dog, give the pet as a gift, or even hold the animal for ransom.

So how exactly can you keep your dog safe from thieves? The group recommends micro-chipping your pup, putting the animal on a tight leash and keeping him in your sight at all times, especially when running errands. Also, beware of inquisitive strangers asking you how much you paid for the dog.

For those who've lost a pet, websites such as Fido Finder may help.

While some pets get stolen, many others are left homeless. Four million cats and dogs are put down in U.S. shelters each year, equivalent to almost one animal every eight seconds, says the Humane Society.

Looking to get a pet? Consider adoption -- visit Petfinder.com or ASPCA for more info.

Comments

[StarGazr5992]

11:01 AM on 08/19/2011

Think in this day & age the way the world is going they would take anything they think would make them money

[Myoho Mod]

06:49 PM on 08/18/2011

I wonder how many of the dogs that were "stolen" from cars were not actually resqued by dog lovers from irresponsible owners? Just had to throw that in

[Wendy Davis]

09:25 PM on 08/25/2011

I took care of a foster dog as she was founded. When she recovered, I suggest to the "love of animal" member that finding the dog's owner should be attempted - to which she replied - the person does not deserve the dog - if you want her, she is yours. Well, I took her, and did try to find the owner. I have seen dogs in the back yard, never having contact with a person other than food and water and that would be sporadic, one dog, a puppy died of dehydration during a hot spell and the owners completely disregarded the dog's suffering. There is so much worse going on that dogs in vehicles while owners are in the store. If it is hot, that is another story. But dogs love travelling and dog friendly places are rare. How many dogs are at the brink of death because of neglect and you want to punish a person who travels with their pets? Come on...

[themainpoint]

10:46 AM on 08/18/2011

Where do they sell them?

[AZreb]

08:51 AM on 08/18/2011

Purebreds are sometimes stolen and used for breeding by backyard breeders - the scum of the earth, along with those who run puppy mills.

But sometimes the dogs and pups - purebred or "cafeteria" (a little of this and a little of that) are picked up by people who just want to take them home. We have a family like that in our neighborhood - if there is a loose animal, they will just take it for their own - and then the animals breed, have litters, litters then taken to the shelter and then the animals breed, have litters, litters taken to the shelter - get the picture?

The local newspaper knows me well - 3 strays so far, put ads in the paper, called the shelters, found the owners. Gave the owners the "talk" - collar and ID on the dogs, secure fencing - things that should be a given for the safety of the dogs - along with the spay/neuter suggestion.

[keemia]

02:03 AM on 08/18/2011

They make this sound like such a huge event. OK, 224 for a country with 300 million population... isn't that much, is it?

[AZreb]

08:54 AM on 08/18/2011

These are just the purebreds - many others are stolen, too.

[airmikee99]

12:25 PM on 08/18/2011

http://www.missingkids.com/en_US/documents/nismart2_nonfamily.pdf

"During the study year, there were an estimated 115
stereotypical kidnappings, defined as abductions perpetrated
by a stranger or slight acquaintance and
involving a child who was transported 50 or more
miles, detained overnight, held for ransom or with
the intent to keep the child permanently, or killed."

Only 115 kids were kidnapped by strangers in one year, out of a population of 300 million. That isn't much, is it?

Your logic.... it sucks.

[keemia]

02:49 PM on 08/18/2011

You're comparing kids to dogs?

[Jacquel Chiraco]

12:43 AM on 08/18/2011

"Four million cats and dogs are put down in U.S. shelters each year, equivalent to almost one animal every eight seconds, says the Humane Society." WAO

[AZreb]

08:52 AM on 08/18/2011

The word is "killed" - of course, that is not politically correct, so we say "put down", "euthanized", "put to sleep".

[Jacquel Chiraco]

05:13 PM on 08/18/2011

Agreed, and it's not politically correct, it's just plain stupid. Psss, when do the "put to sleep" wake up?

[LaoShur]

12:19 AM on 08/18/2011

LOST DOG FOUND!!
Male lab or lab mix dog found near Dai Jung Gung Korean restaurant on 3rd ave last Friday. Has brown collar that says “Frodo”. Mostly light brown with a white tip on his tail. Age about 6-8 months. Very friendly and healthy.
Tasted like chicken.

[Magickalgirl]

06:14 AM on 08/18/2011

I was thinking the same thing!

[LaoShur]

06:25 AM on 08/18/2011

The sad thing is that they are probably being sold to research labs....

[milomilano]

09:06 AM on 08/18/2011

Also they are taken as "bait" dogs for training dogs used in fights. Sad.

[AnimalLover6]

11:13 PM on 08/17/2011

I spoke with a police officer here in Massachusetts a couple of years ago. He said that people don't realize how common it is for dogs to be stolen out of yards to be used as "bait dogs" in training fighting dogs. People think their dog just "escaped" from the yard. Not likely, he said. Dog fighters apparently cruise parking lots looking for dogs tied up outside "just for a minute" or left alone in the car or in their yard. The dog then dies a terrible death being torn apart in the fighting ring. He said no one should EVER leave their dog unattended, and that the situation is getting worse.

[Susan Marlowe CPA]

05:57 PM on 08/18/2011

People involved in dog fighting are just plain evil. Unfortunately, dog abuse and theft are not punished nearly as severely as they ought to be.

[Turtlenewz]

09:56 PM on 08/17/2011

One problem if someone is caught stealing a dog the punishment is not severe

[Zeijandi]

03:19 PM on 08/18/2011

I promise you, if I caught someone trying to steal my dogs, the punishment would be severe.

[Turtlenewz]

05:00 PM on 08/18/2011

I understand. Just do not get caught if god for bid such a tragedy should happen

[metalsmithgirl71]

09:35 PM on 08/19/2011

there would be no place on earth for them to hide and when i found them, there wouldn't be enough left of them to be identified.

[ScaningTheWaves]

09:32 PM on 08/17/2011

The Dog Represents the owner. Remember that people. 99percent of the time it's true.

I would not have a small dog, that just anyone can pick up and theive. First of all either the dog is too small or too stupid, i blame the owner. Remember, the dog represents the owner.

[metalsmithgirl71]

09:36 PM on 08/19/2011

your comment doesn't even make sense. a dogs intelligence has NOTHING to do with it's size. your comment, however, is very telling of yours.

[zogimperator]

08:25 PM on 08/17/2011

I've equipped my dogs with laser beams.

[lisa 26]

05:46 PM on 08/17/2011

My cute little mutt was dognapped a few years ago. In the process of recovering her (she's fine), I learned a few things. I regret to inform you that these people are almost never stealing dogs because they want a fuzzy cute pet of their own, or want to sell them to someone who does. They're using them as "warm-ups" in dog fights; apparently stealing pets for this is a common right of passage in a lot of gangs.

[LaoShur]

12:20 AM on 08/18/2011

Actually they get good money from labs that use them to experiment on.

[AnimalLover6]

10:06 AM on 08/18/2011

They do. And the thieves are actually legitimate USDA Class B animal dealers, called "Bunchers." They steal dogs and answer "Free to a good home" ads. But this happens less than before. Labs prefer docile breeds--especially beagles. So there are now breeding facilities that breed specifically for lab research. It's horrible.

[ifyouseekay]

02:45 PM on 08/17/2011

the level of antisocial behavior always amazes me. with the millions of animals in shelter these folks would rather "borrow" a dog than pay for a shelter dog.

and people wonder why societies fall apart!

[AlphaDoc]

06:30 AM on 08/18/2011

I agree with you, but would point out that shelter adoptions are expensive these days. What used to be a $25 adoption fee has grown into a 3 or 4 hundred dollar investment. I understand that it's expensive to take care of dogs, and that shelters need to make money to survive, but if the fees were a little lower, it might cut down on some of the theft.

[chiodo08]

02:43 PM on 08/17/2011

I see this in my neighborhood everyday a new sign offering a reward for their dog...I really really find people repulsive on every level....I could EASILY step over someone to save an animal

[Victoria Carson]

10:07 AM on 08/18/2011

At least you said step OVER, I know of some who would say step ON. That would be repulsive to me.

[Max Shaw]

02:01 PM on 08/17/2011

"I've even seen some taken out of a child's arms on a park bench."

Some? So more than one, eh? You should probably do something about that, huh?