Post Your Dog’s Microchip Number
If your dog has a microchip, ask to have their unique serial number, along with the dog’s description, posted in the “stolen article” category on the National Crime Information Center.
Since stolen pets are usually a low priority for police, you should do the investigative legwork. Talk to people in the immediate vicinity where your pet went missing. You never know who may have witnessed the actual theft or seen your lost dog.
Always make sure you have a recent photo of your pet so you can quickly make flyers if they go missing. Post your flyers around your neighborhood, on social media, and on local websites to get as much visibility as possible.
Your stolen dog might end up on a local for-sale ad online if taken by a dog flipper. Check your local message boards and for-sale ads.
Dog flippers may leave your dog at an animal shelter if they realize selling it is not a lucrative option. It’s always a good idea to visit your local shelter in person to see if your stolen pet is there.
Call or email your local TV station, radio station, and newspaper and request that they post on their website about your missing pet. Here’s a local story in Tulsa, OK, about how one man was able to get his story out to recover his stolen Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, hopefully.
Check your home and neighborhood thoroughly
Fortunately, most missing dogs are not stolen; they are likely to have run off or escaped the backyard. Do a thorough check of your home and nearby areas. If your dog is trained to come when called, now is the time to reap the benefits of that training.
Donât leave your dog unattended in the backyard
If itâs possible for strangers to see into your backyard, donât leave your dog in the yard alone. Make certain that the gates in your fence are locked to prevent unwanted entry into your yard.
Always try to be outdoors with your canine companion, or at the very least, check on them often. Actively play with your pooch, or allow them to follow you around the yard as you tend your gardens. Definitely do not leave your dog in the yard alone while you are away from home. If left alone for long periods, your dog could become bored and get into trouble (by digging or escaping), or worse, be nabbed by a dognapper.
The Gangs That Steal Your Puppies | Crimewave
Many people heard about the dramatic incident a year ago when violent thugs shot Lady Gaga’s dog walker in the chest and stole two of her French bulldogs, Koji and Gustav.
The story had a relatively happy ending for the dogs – they were turned into police two days later after Lady Gaga offered a $500,000 reward. But the dog walker, Ryan Fischer, faced a long recovery and had a portion of his lung removed. It’s likely he will never completely heal from the emotional trauma.
Sadly, this incident was not isolated, and police and pet groups say that dognapping is on the rise. Pet parents should be aware of this disturbing trend and take precautions to ensure it doesn’t happen to them.
Experts say this particularly heinous crime may be increasing because the pandemic created more demand for pets, and purebred dogs are harder to find now. A general rise in violent crime over the past two years may also be to blame.
