What Dog Owners Should Know About Dognapping – Dogster

Two million dogs are stolen each year and about 10% are sent home, according to Petfinder.com. We call it dognapping – the crime of taking a dog from its owner, derived from the term kidnapping.

All over the world, pets are stolen for a variety of reasons, such as being resold as pets, collecting rewards from distressed owners, or fighting dogfights, to name a few. Over the past two and a half years there has been an increase in dog thefts in order to make a quick buck by criminals looking to take advantage of the increased demand for canine companionship during the pandemic.

What are the best stolen dogs and from where?

According to American Kennel Club Vice President of Public Relations Brandi Hunter-Munden, some of the most stolen dogs in the United States are:

• Yorkshire Terriers

• boston terriers
• Chihuahuas
• english bulldogs
• Shih Tzu
• pit bulls
• french bulldogs

Brandi notes that over the past few years, unsuspecting owners would leave their dogs in their yard for a few minutes to “do their business” or tie up their pets outside a store for an errand. fast. “Now we see many dogs being stolen from inside homes, yards and cars, as well as snatched from their owners on the streets across the country,” she says.

Additionally, Brandi clarifies that “many of these breeds are stolen directly from owners because they are small, portable, docile, and don’t make a fuss when snatched from their owners.”

Who are the victims of dog theft?

Pet owners aren’t the only victims of pet theft. Dog breeders are also prime candidates. For breeders like Patricia Sosa of Louisiana, there’s a waiting list for her limited supply of carefully bred French Bulldog puppies. In its 30+ year love affair with the breed, a single person stole a dog by writing a bad check nearly 15 years ago.

“But over the past few years, since many French Bulldogs have been stolen from pet owners and breeders, I’ve had to take some serious safety precautions,” says Patricia. She carefully screens applicants over the phone and checks references before inviting potential dog owners to her house to view the puppies.

“I only ever give them my address at the last minute in order to protect me, my house and my puppies,” she explains. Also, before inviting potential dog owners to her home, she explains to them that she has a security system and a network of cameras covering her house, kennels, and the rest of the property. Finally, she tells them that she has a guard dog – a Doberman who will be present when they visit her premises. “Armed with this information, they can make the decision to come to my kennel,” she says.

But breeders aren’t the only ones getting dogs stolen. Many pet stores across the country have experienced dog thefts since the pandemic. In 2021, after two women walked into a Texas pet store and demanded to see a French bulldog, the store complied. Once the dog was in their hands, the two immediately ran for the door. Store employees quickly reported the incident and the description of the car to the police. Shortly after, officers discovered that the women were allegedly trying to reattach the license plate they had removed in preparation for the heist.

Do criminal laws and penalties vary with respect to K9 theft?

Dogs and other pets are currently classified as “property” in theft convictions. Accordingly, offenders who steal dogs are given the same penalties as those who steal inanimate objects. Unfortunately, most states make pet theft a misdemeanor, and penalties include small fines and little to no jail time.

Only about 15 states address dog theft in their criminal codes. Although criminal charges and penalties vary from state to state, California and Louisiana impose charges and penalties based on the monetary value of stolen dogs. However, Virginia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New York, and Mississippi have tough criminal laws. In these states, dog theft is a felony punishable by six months to 10 years in prison. Additionally, fines start at $200 and can be up to three times the value of the stolen animal, but not exceeding $500,000. A fairly wide range too!

Animal advocates agree that penalties for dog theft should be more severe than those for stealing inanimate, non-living property. Recent studies and case law have recognized that the animal-human bond is unique and the implications of labeling dog ownership are antiquated.

How can dog lovers help?

The Animal Legal Defense Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is an animal rights organization whose stated mission is to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. The organization encourages animal lovers to take action by lobbying local, state and government officials and agencies to change laws to protect animals.

If you want to help enact more state criminal laws, enact tougher measures and tougher penalties for dog theft, organize and meet like-minded dog owners, and work with advocacy organizations animals to change pet theft laws.

One last thing: if your pet has been stolen, be patient, be diligent, be active, and don’t give up. It could be returned to you.

How to prevent dog theft

There are steps you can take to make sure you and your dog aren’t the target of napping.

1. Microchip your dog, register the microchip with the microchipping agency, and keep the information up to date.
2. Have your dog wear a collar with your phone number and an ID tag with relevant, up-to-date information, like your email address and the word “Reward.”
3. Have your dog wear a GPS tracker that can track your dog in real time to locate his whereabouts.
4. Do not leave breed doormats or hang breed flags outside your home as this serves as an advertisement for thieves.
5. Keep all doors locked and windows closed when you are not home. Install cameras in your home, focusing on the main entry and exit points.
6. Don’t leave your dog unattended outside your yard, in your car, or tied up outside a store.
7. Beware of strangers approaching you to talk about your dog. Don’t give them any information about where you live, how often you walk your dog, or your dog’s name.
8. Try walking the dogs during the day, varying the time slightly. Thieves look for consistent dog-walking behavior.
9. Notice your surroundings. Keep an eye out for cars parked in your area and watch out for pedestrians, who just don’t seem “in the right place”.
10. Keep a watchful eye on your
    dog in the dog park and do not walk your dog off-leash in your neighborhood.

What to do if your dog is stolen

If dognapping happens to you, take these steps immediately.

1. Security experts agree that if your dog is stolen, don’t try to chase the attackers away or jump into the car with them or you could be seriously injured or even shot.
2. Write down everything you remember about the thief or thieves and the getaway car.
3. Call the police and file a report with as much detailed information as possible.
4. Call your microchip company so that people in your area receive a lost pet alert and are on the lookout.
5. Contact local missing pets and neighborhood groups on social media. Post a photo of your pet and describe it in detail. Also post on your own social feed to spread the word!
6. Create a flyer that includes photos of your pet’s face and body, offering a reward for information leading to their safe recovery. Do not indicate that it was stolen, because the thief may want to return it and avoid prosecution. Post flyers in the area, including local dog parks or where large groups of people gather.
7. Contact local veterinary offices, groomers, dog daycare centers, boarding houses, and shelters, as thieves might want to drop it off there.
8. Write a letter to the local media (newspapers, radio and television) including a photo and a full description of your dog and an explanation of what happened. Give them a heartfelt story about what your dog means to you. If you find that other dogs in your residential area have been stolen, include it. This can prompt them to report your story as well as a dognapping crime spree so residents are on the lookout for your dogs – and be careful with theirs.
9. Beware of scammers who may call you for the reward or ask you for money to return your dog.
10. Regularly review online posts for pet adoptions and sales.
11. Do not abandon !

Why Some Puppies Are More Dognapped Than Others

Some of the factors that explain why some dogs are stolen more than others are that today’s desirable breeds are rare, fashionable and hard to get your hands on, especially the French Bulldog – a breed that is a primary candidate for the flight.

“Frenchies have become fashionable due to their presence on social media, particularly Instagram, as well as the depiction of their race, which can be found on sheets, sweaters, phone cases and in advertising campaigns,” said AKC Vice President Brandi Hunter-Munden. of public relations.

Another contributing factor to the breed’s popularity is that many French Bulldogs are owned by notable celebrities like Lady Gaga (who was famously and violently dognapped in 2021), Dwayne Johnson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Martha Stewart, Snoop Dogg, Madonna and Reese Witherspoon. And, with a hefty price tag – from $4,000 and up, there’s an implicit elite status to owning this breed.

In the case of French Bulldogs, the demand outstrips the supply and this should be understood as why the breed is a prime competitor for being robbed. French Bulldogs have smaller litters, providing a limited supply for such voracious demand.