How to protect your beloved dog from theft
Today, our main topic is how to protect your beloved dog from theft. However, many other hot topics also searches in Google as detailed below regarding dog theft.
- What to do if someone tries to steal your dog on a walk,
- Worst areas for dog theft,
- How to protect yourself from dog theft,
- Dog theft in my area,
- How to prevent dog theft on walks,
- Dog theft markings UK 2020,
- How to prevent dog theft UK
It is, therefore, essential that dog owners take proactive measures to ensure their dogs’ safety at home and be more vigilant than they ever have been.
What are the reasons behind the increase in dog thefts?
There have been an increasing number of dog thefts over the years, but it appears that lockdowns have encouraged further thefts from organised criminals trying to make easy money off higher demand for dogs and puppies.
In the meantime, dog napping has seen a prominent spike during lockdown, despite many crime rates dropping during this period. Many families and young professionals have taken advantage of the enforced stay at home time during lockdown by spending more time playing with their new puppies or dogs than they would normally have done.
As a result of the lockdown announcement, Google searches for ‘buy a puppy’ rose by 120%, while searches for ‘adopt a puppy’ rose by 133%.
Crimes such as dog theft are common practices where criminals steal puppies long before they are mature enough to separate from their mothers and then sell them for twice as much as usual. Breeders in Norfolk were terrorized and devastated when fourteen puppies were seized from their care in one night.
With it being so easy to advertise puppies for sale online and new puppy owners being unaware of the responsible methods for purchasing a puppy, the criminals have already had a field day.
Moreover, it doesn’t just apply to puppies. In spite of their owners being at home, many dogs are stolen from backyards. There have been reports of dog nappers targeting homes in East Anglia because chalk markings are appearing on brickwork, gates, and fences marking them out as potential targets.
Inadequate punishment
People who campaign against dog napping argue that it’s a big deal. There are few risks associated with dog napping – they can make thousands of dollars out of a single puppy, and if discovered, will only have to pay a fine of £250 and court costs.
They are just too powerful to be deterred by what is out there. Currently, theft of a dog carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison if convicted under the Theft Act 1968. However, more often than not, fines are imposed along with community service. The Direct Line Insurance Company notes that less than 5% of dog napping cases are resolved by conviction.
The issue with this law pertains to how it categorizes dog theft. According to campaigners, the act currently treats animal thieves in the same way as mobile phone thieves since pets are considered “property” under the law.
It appears there will be no new legislation on dog theft despite recent attempts to lobby government for tougher sentencing and reclassification. It is important that sentencing guidelines consider the emotional distress experienced by dog owners, but there is no legal distinction between a stolen laptop and a stolen pet.
Who are the dogs at risk?
In 2018-19, according to Direct Line’s research shows that the most stolen breeds were:
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Crossbreed
- Chihuahua
- Cocker Spaniel
- Bulldog
- Yorkshire Terrier
- French Bulldog
- Lurcher
- Border Collie
- Jack Russell
It isn’t necessary to assume that all the breeds in this list are endangered, but if the breed of your dog is one of the more in demand, you should be extra vigilant.
How many dogs are stolen each year?
The Direct Line insurance company reported that the number of companies that have reported dogs stolen has increased from 1,879 in 2017 to 1,959 in 2018 – the equivalent of five each day. In addition to this, there are also recent thefts throughout lockdown.
A study by Dog Lost said the number of stolen dogs during lockdown was 65% higher than last year.
According to the charity, the numbers have steadily increased. In 2016, there were 61 cases reported; in 2017, there were 217 due to mandatory microchipping.
It’s hard to say what the true numbers may be since many victims don’t report their dogs stolen, so it can be said that the increase over the years is due in part to better reporting by police forces.
You should be aware of the lineage of your puppy
Breeding in puppy farms across Europe is one reason why dogs are stolen. Without access to water, puppies are bred in disgusting conditions, exposing them to disease, discomfort, and long-term health problems. Vaccines are given to puppies much too early, and they are taken from their mothers without vaccinations. The animals are sold to families unknowingly, and they are most often returned to rescue shelters or charities.
Here are some tips on spotting puppy farms:
Compare multiple online ads to find the same number. In the event that this number appears in several ads running at the same time on Google, you should pay attention.
Purchasing a puppy at a lockdown can be difficult, because price alone is not an indicator of the average price. Price that is either absurdly low or outrageously high should cause you to be skeptical.
The same content and pictures will be used repeatedly for each litter of puppies. Look for more than one result by Google searching the advert’s description and photos.
Whenever you purchase a puppy, you should inquire about where it was bred and raised. They should bring their mother. A car park, lay-by or any other unusual location is not appropriate for meeting.
It is not possible to vaccinate a puppy before he or she is four weeks old. If someone advertises a puppy that has been vaccinated, it is a lie.
Make sure the seller is a member of the Kennel Club and always ask for the original paperwork.
Do not be fooled by sellers who ask what puppy you intend to see. Different breeds are available, which may be an indication that the business is a farm rather than a genuine breeder.
Make sure you pay attention to pressure from sellers. Insurance and puppy packs that are free are no guarantee of legitimacy.
When you visit the dog you are interested in, be prepared to leave if the sex doesn’t match what you requested.