Monday, February 10, 2014

Dog-Nappers Exist! 10 Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe



Dogs are stolen for various reasons and in various ways.  Sadly, most are not found and returned safely home, so it's very important to protect yourself and your dog before anything can happen.  Research has shown dogs are taken for purposes such as breeding or dog fighting as well as other terrible reasons.  Here are some tips to prevent a dog-napping from happening to you!

1. Don't leave your dogs unattended in your parked car.
2. Always keep a close eye on things when your dog is off leash at a park or a beach.  Distractions are everywhere and it only takes a few quick seconds for someone to be off with your dog while your attention is elsewhere.
3. Be cautious about how often and how long your dog is left home alone.  If your dog spends a lot of time home alone, perhaps speak with your neighbors about your schedule and ask them to help by keeping an eye out for anything suspicious while you're gone.
4. Keep your dog's outside space fenced, locked, lit and alarmed.  I was thrilled to see the new fence we installed this fall has both a lock from the inside and the out, with an actual key!  I personally do not have my fence alarmed, but my dogs aren't unsupervised outside.  I do have a fairly bright light as well, which allows me to see clearly in my yard at night.
5. Don't leave your dog unattended in your yard.
6. Don't leave your dog tied up outside of a store or restaraunt while you shop or dine inside.
7. Spay and neuter your dogs.  This creates less desire to wander on their part and less desirability to steal your dog on the thief's part.  Some dognappers steal for breeding purposes.
8. Do your research on any dog groomers, boarders, walkers etc.
9. Be extra cautious when unknown people such as delivery people, contractors or people going door to door are around your house.
10. Microchip and id tag your dog. 

10 comments:

  1. Great reminders. It is so sad that we can't trust the world with our dogs.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Excellent tips, most of them we do do, especially the locked gates and backyard lights, and we gots our Lab Shadow who doesn't like strangers and barks her head off!

    The Mad Scots

    ReplyDelete
  3. Aiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeee THAT really SCARS us since that is a Dachshund on that sign.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good advice. Sometimes we see ads for dogs that have been stolen.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's terrible when we see ads that people's pets have been stolen!! We now have cameras all around the yard and the house....but Mama never leaves us by ourselves!! Thank you for all of this good info!! xo Chloe and LadyBug

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good list and we follow all those sadly many don't specially in the park where they are too busy on their mobile to watch their dogs. Can't tell you how many lost dogs we have found. Have a terrific Tuesday.
    Best wishes Molly

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is one of my biggest fears. We have a dog door, so they can go out as they please. We have both gates locked, but still fearful.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Momma read an article once about a dog-fighter who said they got a lot of their bait dogs by just going out and letting dogs out of backyards. They'd leave the gate open so people thought the dog just got out on its own and was lost. Dogs shouldn't be left out unattended!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great advice! So sad that it is needed and that people would steal other people's pets.

    ReplyDelete
  10. We are always careful but mom thinks you can't be careful enough! Great post!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

    ReplyDelete

She Deserves Better