illustrations by Jen Griggs Sebastian
We’ve all witnessed it—a dog tied to a chair outside your neighborhood java joint or chained in the back of a pickup truck parked in a strip mall. Some might reason it only takes a few minutes to grab a cup of coffee or pick up the dry cleaning. While we’re all aware that a few minutes can quickly prove deadly for a dog left unattended in a locked car on a sweltering day, did you know there’s another lethal threat facing our beloved furry family members? Canine abductions are on the rise this year at 140 and counting. “It’s only June and we’ve already surpassed the number of dogs stolen in 2009,” said Lisa Peterson, an American Kennel Club spokesperson, who aggressively tracks and studies pet theft.
Dog thieves are canvassing neighborhoods, parks, even our own backyards looking for unattended dogs for a variety of reasons—resale, ransom and breeding. Then there are the other thieves known as “bunchers” who are engaged in the practice of bunching which means illegally obtaining animals purely for profit. Once acquired, the stolen animals are sold for as little as $10 apiece to laboratories conducting cruel experimental research. According to PETA, 40,000 dogs are tormented and killed in U.S. laboratories each year.
Unlike Class B dealers, who are licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to buy animals from “random sources,” bunchers are unlicensed dealers that will employ nearly any means to acquire dogs. This includes targeting lost dogs, strays and even scouring “free to good home” ads and posing as adoptive pet owners.
To ensure your dog doesn’t become a theft statistic, never let your dog run loose off-leash or leave your pet unattended in your front or backyard. Chaining your dog to a tree or porch railing is just as dangerous. If you’re going out of town and have to leave your dog at home alone, make arrangements with a neighbor for frequent visits. Better yet, have a pet sitter stay overnight with your dog or arrange for overnight boarding at your neighborhood doggie daycare.
A common practice among city dwellers is to tie their dogs to parking meters. This poses an additional risk for dogs that may be hit or run over.
Whether you’re running errands or taking a family road trip, never leave your dog unattended in your car, even if locked. If staying at a hotel, call ahead to inquire about the level of security.
Protect your dog with microchip identification since collars and tags can be easily removed. Always carry a current picture of your dog in your wallet. Should your dog become a theft victim, the most effective method for recovery is to contact your local media advises Peterson. Take advantage of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to get the message out too.
Dog owners know a loving home, a healthy diet, and plenty of exercise is the perfect recipe for taking care of our furry friends. It’s also our responsibility to be extra vigilant when it comes to protecting our dogs from being stolen
http://www.theamericandogmag.com/dog-safety/keeping-your-dog-safe-avoiding-abduction
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