Can Anything Be Done About Dog Thefts?

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/stories-55356211

Dog thefts at an all time high due to spike in demand for dogs while in lock down. Says in the video that two organised crime gangs are known to have abandoned selling drugs in order to focus on dogs because they are more profitable now and the penalties if you get caught are much lighter.

What can be done about this problem? It is truly distressing these animals are true companions to so many families and they are treated abominably.

[pixie374]

Because of the money involved, rocky... many genuine rescues aren't getting as far as a charity... except those "unsellable". So, those wanting a rescue are getting nowhere, unless they are willing to take on a dog with issues. There are older dogs that need rehoming. But it isnthe same as it was 5 years ago.

[pixie374]

Rocky, my dog's previous owner/s hadn't registered the chip... it was still with the breeder, who had had the last two puppies removed from them. I was able to change it, as she wasn't flagged up.
I don't know what the answer is. Other than maybe vetting everybody, before they are allowed to get a dog.

[rockyracoon]

But anyone looking for a dog must wonder where it came from and ask questions. It seems that their want for a dog is greater than doing what's right.

This makes me so very angry. I could literally pull the face off someone that robs dogs.

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I agree rocky it is a truly evil thing to do. Preying on the vulnerable (animal and human alike) for profit.

[pixie374]

Me too.... but bearing in mind, the dog that was given to me, could realistically have been stolen... what questions would have told me that? Wouldn't people just lie?
Maybe they should all have a record, from one person to the next, with a proven address etc? It's the people that are the problem, so if we can't track dogs... maybe we should track the "owners".

[fender62]

they would have a problem stealing mine, they would have to use
tranquilize him...very big dog.

[ladybirder]

I am very suspicious that my current Rescue dog was stolen. So much so that a friend (who was also suspicious) and I went through Dogs Lost and other stuff looking to see if we could trace him, we couldn't.

[pixie374]

His microchip should tell you, lb- if he had one.

[burlyshirley]

I would die if someone stole my beloved dog. She is my life and my fears would be for her and how much she would be missing me and wondering where I am. She would be so scared. A very worrying thing for us dog lovers. Scum of the earth these dog robbers.

[LadyCG]

I really wish the police would clamp down on this, but the demand for designer puppies is driving prices sky high and these heartless thieves are making a killing.

It's a devasting crime.

[shoota]

To a certain extent it is an 'own goal' as there was a call for prices to be raised some time ago to discourage the casual purchase of a dog which would be kept for a few weeks and then dumped. ('A dog is for life, not just Christmas' etc campaign.)

[ladybirder]

He didn't have one when he arrived at the Rescue pixie but my Rescue chipped him.

[barry1010]

If only buyers refused to pay the stupid prices for dogs it wouldn't be worth stealing them

[burlyshirley]

^ I actually agree. Mine cost £150 from a rescue centre and for that she was microchipped, spayed and vaccinated as well !

[ladybirder]

Poor dogs must be so bewildered, wondering where everyone and everything they have ever known has gone. Such a cruel things to do, equally so for owner and dog.

[pixie374]

Exactly, shoots.... there were huge protests about dogs "being given away"....in an easy come, easy go kind of way.
Now they are so valuable, they are worth stealing.
Barry, all dogs are worth a lot now. Discouraging buyers doesn't help those who need rehoming.

[horselady]

It's getting a bit frequent here in Wiltshire, same description each time of the van and people involved, it's a heartbreaking thing for the owners. I'd like to have seen anyone try to take my German Shepherd when she was alive, she protected me to the hilt and would have really challenged them.

[fender62]

if someone is buying a stolen dog, surely when thye go to the vets
the microchip would be scanned, in fact id ask for it to be scanned
and if iwas a buyer, id say can we take dog to vet and have a scan
if you dont mind, and see that its actually the seller dog!

[barry1010]

A friend of mine had his work yard broken in to last year. The thieves not only took all his heavy machinery they also stole his guard dog - a trained GSD.

[ladybirder]

Did the dog live in the yard Barry?