How to Protect Your Dog From Being Stolen
Walking your dog is now a safety threat: For both you and your dog. This will not stop me, nor should it stop you, from walking your dog. It should, however, be a precautionary tale that it is 2016 and the world has changed. There are vile people in this world who concoct horrific ways to steal your dog away for drug money, dog fighting, to sell to a lab, or worse. There are ways to protect your dog from being stolen.
There are scammers in the world who, when a dog goes missing, will call the desperate pet parent and demand money before returning the dog. Once this money is wired, the person never calls back: It is a scam in many situations.
In his New York Times bestselling book, The Gift of Fear, Gavin de Becker writes, “I cannot offer a checklist of what to do for each type of hazard you could encounter…Listen to your intuition.”
I like to call this my “gut instinct:” and it never fails me. What you are about to read involves trusting your gut instinct, but often times these tips involve simply being aware. It seems like in this day and age we need to have eyes in the backs of our heads. Yes, we really do. Don’t fear the world, but know the world and environment that surrounds you and your dog(s).
Here are 7 threats to dog parents to know about the next time you plan to take your dog for a walk:
Threat: Casing Your Path
Stick to the paths most traveled. It sounds like common sense, but unless you are in a well-traveled area that you can scream out for help, avoid routes that take you off the beaten path. Sadly, thieves see our companion dogs as easy targets and a quick and easy way to make a buck. On the flip side, I’ve read stories over the years of dog walkers or pet parents being attacked while out on their daily routine walk with Fido. Obviously, if someone knows your route, they can plan their attack. Keep a cell phone, high pitched whistle, and mace with you. If you are able to walk with someone, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Threat: The Cut and Run
The New York Daily News reports the national trend of dog flipping wherein pooches are stolen from their owners and resold for a profit. Someone may try to get you or your dog’s attention while another assailant runs up from behind, cuts your dog’s leash and then runs off with your pooch.
How many times has someone approached you to ask who your dog is, how old he is, they have a [insert popular} breed at home and can I pet your dog type thing. This is part of the norm in my life as a busy dog mom, but I am astute to where I chat and with whom. One woman was walking her dog during the daytime in a busy Queens, New York park, when she was approached by two men. They “oohed” and “aahed” over her Cocker Spaniel and then assaulted her and stole the dog, who was sadly found dead days later.
Christmas Eve should be a time of peace and solace, but for Cory and Sarah Malchow, it was the start of a nightmare. In 2013, Sarah was walking her dog when she was attacked from behind and her 4-month-old Pit Bull mix was stolen. Reports indicate that one assailant grabbed Sarah from behind, held her in the air, and threw her to the ground. Meantime, another assailant approached from behind, unclipped the dog from his leash, and took off in a car. Thankfully, the dog was recovered unharmed.
Know your surroundings. Experts warn dog parents never to give information to strangers about “how much a dog costs” or any other suspicious questions. It’s better to be rude than to be sorry. This is 2016, after all.
Threat: The Dog Beach Hijack
While walking one’s dog along a pet-friendly beach, one might be inclined to allow said dog to frolic off leash with other dogs. Once that leash is undone, your dog is a sitting duck. I recall the story of a bulldog who was visiting a dog-friendly beach in California years ago. While the dog played with the other friendly pups near the water, he was literally snatched away. If pet parents are busy chatting and their dogs are even close by, anything can happen. It only takes a few seconds for a child or pet to go missing. In this case, the dog was never recovered.
Be cognizant of your surroundings and for me, I just no longer allow my dog off leash where there is any sort of human threat. It used to be the threat of another dog attacking that scared me and of course, now it has evolved into the human threat. The times have evolved and changed.
Threat: Know the Leash Laws
Aside from the safety threat to other people and pets and to the dog in general, most towns have specific leash laws in place for a reason. Leash laws protect people and pets but they also protect pets from sinister human beings. It is incredibly frustrating to head out for a walk and to see someone allows their dog to walk off leash with them because “he’s friendly and he stays by my side.”
Several states prohibit dogs “running” or roaming at large. According to an Animal Law website, “Even though a state might not require that an owner use a leash when the dog is off-premises, the law may allow impoundment of “at-large” dog.”
Your loose (and yes he is loose if not on a leash) dog is a moving target for theft no matter how big or protective of you he is.
Threat: The Sitting Duck
There is no valid reason why a dog should be tied up, even for “just a minute” while the dog parent runs into a store. A 7-year-old girl was out shopping with her mom for the Christmas holidays recently and leashed her dog up outside the store. As the duo perused items, a thief was caught on hidden surveillance unleashing Marley, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The thief attempted to sell Marley on the streets, where a teacher bought the dog because she felt something was wrong. The dog was eventually reunited with his family, but this is rare. Criminals are waiting for you to leave the leash behind, with the dog attached. If you wouldn’t leave a baby alone outside, apply the same principle to your pets. The bottom line: Don’t do it.
Threat: Your Cell Phone
Stop texting while walking your dog. You are distracted and thieves know this. Further, I know of a couple who took their dog for a walk, spent the time looking at their phones, and the dog ate something very nasty and ended up in the emergency room. Have down time and just bond with your dog.
Threat: Your Social Shares and Check-Ins
There is no need to tell the entire world when you are exiting your home and where you are presently walking your dog. You are inviting trouble. I know the temptation is there, and social media is something in which we all engage. Just be careful about sharing too much. Thieves have phones and tablets, too.
How to Protect Your Dog
Keep Info Current
If your stolen, lost, or missing dog happens to luck out and end up at a shelter, the chances of a reunion with you increase dramatically if that dog is microchipped. Though collars can be taken off by thieves, identification tags that remain intact, especially something like a PetHub tag using QR code, increase the chances of reunion. If you move or change phone numbers, update the microchip contact info. The bottom line: Keep identification current and get a microchip.
Get a Trusted Sitter or Dog Walker
If your dog must spend long periods of time home alone, even after you come home at lunch to take him out for a walk, he is still at risk. A pet sitter, doggie daycare, or a security system are all viable options to prevent pet theft. Thieves case homes where pets are left alone, and sadly, homes are cased to wait for the right moment that dogs are home alone. The bottom line: If you must leave your dog alone for any significant period of time, ask a neighbor to watch your house and return the favor with a neighborhood watch. I also never leave my dog alone in a hotel room when I travel.
Property Protection
This is a thief’s best friend: The property that is poorly lit, without a secure lock on a gate, and out of view of passersby. “It happened in broad daylight” is something that has become all too common as it relates to pet theft. Use an alarm or bell, and if possible, a security light, so you can hear and see anyone who comes on your property. The bottom line: Good fences make good neighbors. They also keep criminals away, and coupled with pet parent supervision, they keep dogs safe and secure. Ask neighbors to keep an eye on your property and offer to do the same for them if they are pet parents.
Be Aware
This is a thief’s best friend: The property that is poorly lit, without a secure lock on a gate, and out of view of passersby. “It happened in broad daylight” is something that has become all too common as it relates to pet theft. Use an alarm or bell, and if possible, a security light, so you can hear and see anyone who comes on your property. The bottom line: Good fences make good neighbors. They also keep criminals away, and coupled with pet parent supervision, they keep dogs safe and secure.
How are you protecting your dog during walks?
My dog is completely insane, so I am quite certain that if anyone took him – they would bring him RIGHT back LOL. But in all seriousness, these are awesome tips.
Oh my goodness LOL
Oh Carol, reading this just curdled my stomach.( dog protection)
Is the cocker in the article walking by the beach and in fire hat Dexter? 95 % identical to my Silas, who turned 2 on Jan.8th. 2024
I for sure will be on high alert when Silas and I walk in the city park until our dog park dries out some. Thank you. It was a very
well-written subject.
It is so scary. Thanks for stopping by.
These are great tips. I’ve fostered and volunteered for an animal rescue and it’s scary to hear some of the things that happen.
These are some great tips. We lost a dog once and to this day I don’t know if he somehow got loose or was stolen. What I do know is that we were so fortunate to find him but hundreds of miles away! We have giant breed dogs now and I worry all the time that they are so adorable someone will want them. These are some great tips.
Oh my goodness – that is upsetting. SO glad you got your dog back.
How scary. I’ve heard of dogs being stolen from the home, but not while walking. I’ll definitely be more aware now.
The world has become a scary place indeed.
I think it is so sad that people can be so cruel to animals by stealing them. That is so not cool at all.
Someone stole an adoptable dog from a dog rescue event @ a local pet store recently. It makes me nervous. I guess they must have asked to walk the dog to decide if it was a good match & they were allowed to go by themselves & just walked out of the store & never came back.
Oh My Word! That is a new one on me. How sad is that!
Great post!
Thanks, De!
Anna Oster. We live in a new world one which we have to be aware of all the dangers we are confronted with everyday We need to be careful with our dogs and children. Your post was very important reminder. I keep my gates to the yard locked. My 80 pound doodle protects Jasper my cocker spaniel in the yard we just need to be careful.
Good list to read and learn from. Lots of crazies out there. Thanks again Carol
I agree – crazies galore.
The over sharing drives me crazy. I’ll never understand why people publicly share pics of themselves on vacation while they are away from home. It’s an open invitation to break into an empty home.
Great tips!! We recently added the Whistle GPS/Activity monitor to his Pet Hub tag. Still learning all of the ins and outs but I love it alerts me as soon as he has left his “Whistle Zone”.
What a great idea, Denise!
It’s so sad that people would be so cruel as to steal a dog. Our neighbors dog was stolen. Makes me more cautious with mine.
Oh wow that is frightening.
This is an important issue since many French Bulldogs get stolen
Snorts,
Lily & Edward
Yes, you are so right. That is a highly targeted breed.
The thought of someone stealing a dog makes me sick to my stomach.
Our friend reported that a dog had been stolen and I was worried for days until I heard that the pup was safe at home with “his humans”. How can people be so cruel?!?
That is so upsetting. I am so glad to hear that your friend got her dog back.
I really cannot understand why people feel they have to steal a pet and put both the pet and owner under stress. WE have cats..but I totally get the article.
There are some really rotten people out there.
There was a litter of purebred kittens allegedly stolen from a breeder’s garage here in Brisbane, Australia a few weeks ago. Appears to be a first here. Apparently individual kittens being stolen happens, but not the entire litter.
So sad. 🙁
Agree, great tips. Just FYI (though you probably already know), was that very last paragraph supposed to say something else? It appears to be a shorter version of the tip above it. 🙂
That is awful about the kittens being stolen.
This is the reason I now carry a concealed weapon. I said I never would, but after reading articles like this over the last year, I changed my mind. Good post and thanks for the heads up.
The world has definitely changed.
Such great information. I tend to be a little crazy (as in borderline OCD) when it comes to worrying about something happening to Ruby. I also am that person who when I see a dog tied up outside a store or restaurant, I stand and wait for the person to come back.
Thanks!
You are such a good person to do that: Having a dog tied to a post outside is one of the worst things a pet parent can do: You have your dog sitting there waiting for harm (or theft) to come to them.
Really great tips!! I’ll have to pass this along to all of my family and friends who are doggy parents! My daughter wants a dog, so I may become a doggy parent soon! 😀
I am happy to hear this. Let me know if you need any other info. Keep us posted on the potential new doggy!
Get your pet microchipped is really important and helpful. Many people feel like their pets will not become lost or stolen, but when it happens having some security is better than none.
I so agree: Some home security is better than none.
How horrible. This kind of cruelty and thievery really angers me – no different than stealing someone’s child- and the punishment should be the same.
Amen to that, Val.
We all walk together during the day and they are never, ever off their leashes. Everyone should follow your tips to protect their dogs. I can’t imagine tying a dog outside of a store.
I know it: I don’t care how long a person is in a store: Dogs outside tied up are sitting ducks for theft, poisoning, or any number of things.
It’s so sad that dog owners have to worry about someone else stealing their dog. I guess it’s a sign of our modern times. Thank you for raising awareness and providing safety tips.
P.S. When I lived in FL, the beach was a huge hunting ground for dog thieves. 🙁
Isn’t that disturbing? I just never thought about it until I saw the headlines of the numbers of dogs being abducted from dog-friendly beaches.
That is super scary to think of someone trying to steal your dog. Our dogs are microchip to help protect them.
We microchip, too: Such a needed and necessary thing.
The tips you shared here for walking with a pet are good tips for walking alone or with one’s children.
Absolutely!
Awesome post Carol & great tips! There are some despicable people out there, you must protect yourself and your pet! Both my dogs are micro-chipped, I’m like a broken record touting that a micro-chip can save your dog or cat’s life. I used to take my dog to Starbucks and leave her tied up right outside, we trained her to Wait and considered it a great training opportunity. But I stopped doing that 2 years ago after reading about a dog being stolen that way. Now I go through the drive through to get my drink, park, and then sit outside w/ my SBUX & my dog. We had a Pittbull puppy stolen from our shelter a few years ago, it stills haunts me wondering what happened to that puppy. I bet it haunts the volunteer who was “helping” the man that stole the puppy too. If you volunteer, never let a shelter dog/cat out of your sight or control! Constantly “checking in” on Facebook is not a good idea at all, it screams No One Is Home, Come Rob Us! Post about your vacation after you return home.
Oh wow that is so frightening that the pitbull puppy was stolen. It really is disturbing how some people “think” and of what they are capable.
These are absolutely great tips! I don’t know what I’d do if mom and me got seperated!
That is so upsetting to even think about and I get what you are saying!
We had a microchip and it gave us such peace of mind. Def. a good idea.
This is something I would not like to think about BUT it is so necessary to be aware of all the threats of someone stealing our dog! We too are looking into the micro-chip option.
These are great tips. We don’t live in an area where we have to worry about some of them, but others I never thought about. I will have to be more careful. Thanks
Great tips!
I’ve heard most of these before, having pibbles i’m super paranoid about theft. I never leave them in the car, never leave them outside of a store by themselves etc.. out on a walk I feel pretty safe, Dante doesn’t like creepy strangers and even strangers in general he “boofs” at (quiet low bark), and we’re always taking different walking routes. 🙂
I know that boof sound all too well.
There are so many dogs that need homes, I just don’t understand why stealing one is a thing. Unless it’s to extort money, and then it”s no different than kidnapping. Great safety tips!
—Wags (and purrs) from Life with Dogs and Cats
Thanks, Susan!
I am not going to lie, if I see a dog tied up and neglected I will take the dog. Did this to a neighbor who left his elderly dog out and went on vacation. So infuriating! I took the pup, kept him and called the police on the dumb neighbor. These are great tips. Dogs are children and I would be a mess if one of mine was stolen
YOU are my hero!
We never leave our boys vulnerable. They are with us on their leashes, playing in the fenced backyard or inside. This is such a scary topic but you have some great ideas.