Watch out for Dognappers

A recent report by a Dog Lost organisation is saying that dognapping is back, with reports of stolen dogs going up by a fifth in the last year.  Did dognapping ever go away though?  We get regular reports of dogs who have suddenly disappeared.  It’s a heartbreaking risk for owners of certain types of dogs with Jack Russells being especially vulnerable.  They’re small, easy to transport and sell on.

You might think that microchipping your pet will save him.  In our experience this doesn’t make a lot of difference.  The people who steal and those why buy a dog in a pub car park, aren’t likely to check the chip.

Keeping your dog safe is the only answer to this despicable trade in dogs.   The thieves are ingenious because it’s so lucrative, with dogs changing hands for several hundreds of pounds, they can clear thousands in just a week.

So how do they do it?   A dog in a garden with an unlocked gate is an easy target.  They hold out a succulent piece of meat and the dog comes running.  A slip lead, a van parked round the corner and the dog is away.  Children are often sent to catch the dog.  If they are caught in the act, they pretend they are just wanting to play.

When puppies are advertised for sale, thieves pretend to be buyers to get to know the layout and then come back later.   No bother whether the pups are fully weaned.  A valuable puppy was recently taken by a man posing as a buyer, who asked to see the pedigree.  While the owner went to get it, he whipped the pup away and was gone.

Being aware of the problem and keeping your pet in a secure environment is the only answer.  Lock that gate!    Keep a file with a picture of your pet and details of microchip numbers and any identification marks.

Of course, not every dog is at risk – the dogs popular with dognappers are sporting dogs and then it’s only if they are young.  Spaniels, border terriers, jack russells are all targets as are small breed pedigree dogs.   Nobody ever steals staffis!