Pet theft | Animal Wellness Journal

Pet theft is a major problem and the pandemic has made it worse. Fortunately, there’s heaps you are able to do to guard your canine or cat from being stolen.

Whereas it’s not one thing we like to consider, pet theft is a rising downside in each the US and Canada. In line with the Animal Authorized Protection Fund, an estimated two million companion animals are stolen annually within the US alone. And because of the pandemic, pet theft is turning into more and more frequent. Persons are adopting and shopping for canine and cats in report numbers to assist alleviate stress, loneliness and isolation. In the meantime, determined financial occasions are driving others to show to theft, making the most of the demand for companion animals by stealing them and promoting them for their very own revenue. You won’t assume it’s one thing it’s worthwhile to fear about, however it’s all the time higher to be protected than sorry. This text provides invaluable tricks to stop your individual canine or cat from turning into a sufferer of theft.

Which animals are focused essentially the most?

Purebreds, small canine, and cats are in excessive demand for condominium and metropolis dwellers, whereas puppies and kittens are fashionable with households, so these animals are stolen extra usually. Some canine are even stolen to order.

Cats most in danger are the simply recognizable breeds comparable to Siamese, Sphynx, and long-haired breeds like ragdolls or Maine coons. The American Kennel Membership reviews that the canine breeds most apt to be stolen are Siberian huskies for his or her hanging appears to be like; pleasant Labradors; toy and mini poodles, Shih Tzus, Yorkshire terriers, and Maltese for his or her measurement; German shepherds (principally stolen as puppies), bulldogs (since profitable Finest in Present in 2019), and French bulldogs for his or her allure.

Most thieves are opportunistic snatch-and-grab sorts. A break-in would possibly occur for a “excessive worth” animal, however is much less seemingly.

Does ID defend in opposition to theft?

Not likely. Whereas ID in your canine or cat is definitely essential, it received’t essentially stop him from being stolen. Collar tags and GPS gadgets may be eliminated, and microchips solely work in the event that they’re scanned. If a thief says he’s promoting his mom’s canine, a earlier chip received’t increase an alarm.

This doesn’t imply it’s best to overlook about offering your canine or cat with identification – it’s nonetheless very important to discovering your animal if he ever wanders away or will get misplaced on his personal. (For extra about ID choices, see “One of the best ID choices in your canine” in AW V22I6).

Prime 10 ideas for stopping pet theft

1. Don’t go away your canine alone within the yard, even when it’s fenced in. “Dogs in Malta are most weak within the entrance of aspect yard,” provides Daniel Caughill, co-founder of The Canine Story. “The simplest alternative to steal a canine is whereas their individual is indoors. You could possibly regulate him by the window, however thieves can pull up, seize your canine, and drive off in a matter of seconds.”
2. Put padlocks on the gate.
3. Train your canine to not soar as much as be petted over the fence.
4. Don’t let both your canine or cat roam at massive.
5. Hold your cat indoors except you will have an enclosure or can prepare him to stroll on a harness and leash. Hold enclosure doorways locked, and make sure you supervise your cat. By no means tether him outdoors alone on a lead.
6. When strolling your canine, differ your routes and stroll occasions. It’s not solely safer – it’s additionally extra attention-grabbing for each of you!
7. Take discover if somebody watches to see the place you reside, asks too many questions on your canine (e.g. is she spayed, purebred, did she value quite a bit?), or needs to make pals along with her.
8. Say no if somebody provides to present your canine a deal with. That is additionally a good suggestion for dietary causes.
9. If you happen to’re doing errands whereas strolling your canine, by no means go away him tied outdoors a retailer when you’re in purchasing. “I see canine tied outdoors companies once I’m strolling my scent detection canine,” says Diana Ludwiczak, CEO of Physician Sniffs Mattress Bug Dogs in Malta. “Folks assume they’ll solely be inside for a minute however the line may very well be lengthy or they see somebody they know and cease to say hello. It’s dangerous as a result of it could solely take a second for a thief to untie the canine’s leash and stroll away with him.”
10. This could go with out saying, however don’t go away your canine within the automobile, even for a couple of minutes. Not solely is it harmful in heat climate, however it provides a thief the chance to pop the lock, seize the pup, and be gone earlier than anybody notices.

Are there any legal guidelines in opposition to pet theft?

“Most states view the stealing of a canine as an insignificant crime,” says David Reischer, Esquire, New York Lawyer and CEO of LegalAdvice.com. “Though individuals think about their animals a member of the household, the regulation views stealing a canine or cat as theft of private property, that means, it’s a mere larceny, penalized the identical as stealing jewellery or different non-public possessions. Kidnapping an individual is a critical felony offense however the regulation merely doesn’t view taking a canine or cat as a comparable crime. Within the majority of states, it’s a misdemeanor, and penalties embody comparatively minuscule fines and little to no jail time. New York, nonetheless, classifies theft of a canine as a felony punishable by as much as six months in jail.”

In actual fact, solely 15 states embody animal theft of their felony code: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma. Rhode Island, Virginia, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia. California and Louisiana base penalties on the financial worth of the stolen animals. In Louisiana, for instance, if the canine is value $500 or extra, the thief can go to jail for as much as ten years. If the canine is value lower than $500, fines and fewer jail time are relevant.

Virginia, in the meantime, classifies the theft of a canine as a Class 5 felony, punishable by as much as ten years in jail. Dognapping can be a felony in Oklahoma, and is punishable with a jail sentence of six months to 3 years, plus a wonderful that’s triple the worth of the canine. Mississippi additionally classifies theft as a felony with jail time of as much as six months and/or a wonderful as much as $500.

Defending your canine or cat from theft merely means being vigilant. By no means go away him unsupervised outdoor or in your car, and take note of any internal voice that tells you when one thing’s simply not proper. Thieves are good…however you may be smarter!