What happens when someone steals your dog? What to Know

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If you think your pet is stolen

Take action immediately! Call your local police, sheriff, and/or animal control and file a report. Be proactive and persistent.

  • Make a flier with your pet’s name, color, markings, and breed. Include the location where your pet was last seen, and a contact or 24-hour phone/message number. Noting that your animal needs medical attention on the lost animal flyer can solicit a more diligent response from neighbors who may encounter your animal. It can also deter somebody who may be inclined to keep your animal.
  • Contact your local shelters and post flyers on their community boards, checking back to make sure they remain posted. Leave the flier with (or fax it to) local pet stores, post offices, veterinary offices, breed rescue groups, or dog parks. Anywhere dog or cat guardians are likely to congregate is a good place to network and get the word out about your missing companion animal. Read more about finding your lost pet.
  • Monitor pets for sale or pet adoption ads in newspapers or online, checking carefully for descriptions that match your animal. This is where pet thieves are looking to profit from stealing your animal.
  • Walk around and call your pet’s name in the area she was last seen. This is especially useful during the evening hours when the white noise of traffic has diminished. There is a chance your pet may hear you and respond with barking.
  • If you believe you have located your pet and the person who stole him, do not approach the person without first contacting your local law enforcement or animal control officer. Your pet might be removed from the premises or relocated before you can get to him.
  • If somebody claims they have found your lost animal, ask specific questions to ensure the animal is yours – particularly if you are offering a reward.
  • Don’t give up hope. Continue to post flyers, monitor websites, and check newspaper ads. Your pet may end up with caring people who might realize they are in possession of a stolen pet, and they may return him to you.

    • Dognapping — the stats

    What happens when someone steals your dog?

    An estimated two million pets are stolen every year in the United States. The American Kennel Club, which tracks instances of dog theft from their National Pet Theft Database, found a 31% increase in dognappings in recent years, with newly stolen dogs reported daily from communities across the country.

    Dognappings happen for many reasons and dogs may change hands multiple times after being stolen, which makes them even harder to locate. Thieves often steal dogs hoping to make money off of them. This might be someone looking to collect a reward, or something even more sinister.

    Intact dogs (canines that aren’t spayed or neutered) may be sold to puppy mills or backyard breeders, small dogs or dogs of popular, expensive breeds might be taken and resold, or dogs may be sold to dog fighting rings either as fighters or bait dogs.

    States That Have Stolen Dog Laws

    As of 2022, only 15 states specifically address the theft of dogs in their criminal codes. These include:

  • California
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Louisiana
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • New Hampshire
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Oklahoma
  • Rhode Island
  • Virginia
  • Texas
  • Washington
  • West Virginia

    • What are the charges for stealing a dog? Criminal charges and penalties vary widely by state, even in those with specific criminal codes for dog theft. Most states consider pet theft a misdemeanor, and the penalties include relatively small fines and little to no jail time.

    California and Louisiana impose different charges and penalties based on the monetary value of the stolen dog. A few states have stepped up their laws with more severe charges and penalties.

    Thieves Steal My Puppy (Knife Point)

    Do you ever leave your dog unattended in your yard or tied up outside a coffee shop while you grab a cup of Joe? If so, you’re unknowingly giving dog thieves an open invitation to snatch your pup. Dog theft has been on the rise for several years now. Those who take our fur babies are looking for ways to make quick cash or breed them for money.

    As a result of the growing trend, National Pet Theft Awareness Day seeks to bring attention to prevention. Each year on February 14th, we draw awareness on a national scale on the riskiest situations, ways to keep your pet safe, and the punishments for those who steal. Read on to learn more about the laws, ways to track your pet, and what to do should you have a pet go missing. We even share a personal story. Table Of Contents

    An estimated two million domestic animals are victims of dog theft each year in the U.S. Unfortunately, only about 10% of owners recover their dogs. Why do dogs get stolen in the first place, and what breeds are most at risk?

    What are the main reasons thieves steal dogs? Money is the driving force. Most stolen dogs are by dog flippers: people who realize the high monetary value of specific breeds and can re-sell them as pets for a significant profit. They might also steal for the often high cash rewards for finding lost pets.

    Some thieves steal dogs to sell them to illegal fighting rings and training methods or sell them for medical research.