Stolen Promises. Broken Hearts.
words by Anna Cooke
Would you leave a bag of money on the front seat of your running car, unattended, while quickly stepping inside a store or coffee shop? Why then, do so many people still leave their dogs, unat- tended, inside their vehicles? Or tethered “just for a minute” out- side the post office or grocery store? A few seconds is all it takes for an opportunistic thief to steal an unattended dog. Based on customer and
media reports, the AKC has been tracking dogs stolen from owners’ cars, homes and yards since 2007. However, since law enforce- ment does not distinguish between property theft and pet theft, there are no reliable figures for the number of dogs stolen in the United States. Lisa Peterson, a former crime reporter trained to sort out statistics and trends, did confirm that for the first seven months of 2011, pet thefts were on the rise nationwide by a 49 percent increase from 2010, based on the AKC tracking infor- mation. Why Are Dogs Stolen? 1) To be used as bait dogs for training in dog fighting cir-
Joie, stolen from her Thonotosassa yard 10 years ago.
infiltrates the Martin Creek Kennels, owned by C.C. Baird, in hopes of documenting the origins of stolen pets and other abuses at the Arkansas kennel. 3) Financially motivated thefts.
Any purebred dog, particularly puppies, are considered a high- value commodity for resale. Money, or lack thereof and other economic motivations are in play. There are people who steal dogs or puppies to keep for themselves, not wanting to pay a purchase price or adoption fee. Smaller
breeds like Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese and Pomeranians are most susceptible to being stolen. 4) Emotionally driven theft. The perpetrator feels that a dog
is not being properly cared for. Some animal lovers feel justified in stealing a dog that is tied in front of a store or who gets loose one day. Other times it can be an act of revenge.
cles. This can happen in urban and rural areas. As of 2008, dog fighting is a felony in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In most states, the possession of dogs for the purpose of fighting is also a felony offense. Being a spectator at a dogfight is illegal in all states except Montana and Hawaii. Still, law-enforcement officials and animal-care professionals say dog fighting takes place all across the country, including in Florida. 2) Laboratory testing. An estimated 65,000 dogs are bought
by research labs and veterinary schools in the United States each year. One third of these animals are purchased from “Class A” dealers who breed the dogs. The remainder, some 42,000 dogs, come from “Class B” dealers who buy dogs from animal servic- es, shelters and small breeders. “Class B” dealers are licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to buy, house and sell dogs. The USDA, through the Federal Animal Welfare Act, is supposed to ensure the humane treatment of these dogs. Despite some legislation intended to stop the sale of undocumented dogs to research laboratories, under-the-table purchase of dogs continues. In a 2006 documentary film that aired on HBO, Dealing Dogs uncovers a notorious USDA “Class B” breeder/dealer of dogs. An undercover investigator, working on behalf of Last Chance for Animals (an animal rights group)
76 THE NEW BARKER
PREVENTION 1. Don’t let your dog off-leash. Keeping your dog close to you reduces the likelihood it will wander off and catch the attention of thieves. 2. Don’t leave your dog unattended in your yard. Dogs left out- doors for long periods of time are targets, especially if your fenced-in yard is visible from the street. For example, a Bulldog in North Carolina was stolen out of his backyard by thieves who stretched the chain link fence to gain access to the dog. 3. Be cautious with information. If strangers approach you to admire your dog during walks, don’t answer questions about how much the dog cost or give details about where you live. In Oklahoma, a family was approached in a park while playing with their puppy, only to be followed home. The next morning a gunman broke into the house, tied up the family and stole the puppy. 4. Never leave your dog in an unattended car, even if it’s locked. Besides the obvious health risks this poses to the dog, it’s also an invitation to thieves, even if you are gone for only a moment. And remember, leaving expensive items in the car such as a GPS unit or laptop will only encourage break-ins. 5. Don’t tie your dog up outside a store. This popular practice among city-dwelling dog owners can be a recipe for disaster. If you need to go shopping, patronize only dog-friendly retailers or leave your dog at home.
www.TheNewBarker.com
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