Protect your pet

10 ways to help keep your pet safe from dognappers

Last year in Ireland there was a rise in dog thefts of over 60% and with the government set to introduce tougher sentences for kidnappers, we’re sharing some practical advice for dog owners on how to avoid opportunistic and targeted dognapping.

We’re a nation of dog lovers, and with so many of us working from home, demand for our four-legged friends – and the price of them – has soared during the pandemic. But anything of value is at risk of being stolen, and dog theft has risen too.

Pet charity Blue Cross (bluecross.ie) notes that 38% of animals reported lost have been stolen, and more than half of them are never found.

“Overwhelming demand has turned dogs and puppies into commodities with people prepared to pay serious money for them,” says Becky Thwaites, head of public affairs at Blue Cross. “Criminals have been cashing in any way they can on this surge in prospective owners looking for new pets, and individuals or organised groups could potentially steal any dog, no matter how old, if they think they could make some profit from it.

“We can’t stress enough how owners need to keep a close eye on their dog when they’re out and about.”

These are the Blue Cross’ top tips for keeping your dog safe from dognappers…

1. Don’t put your dog’s name on their ID tag

It’s a legal requirement for your dog to wear a collar with an ID tag bearing your name and address on it when it’s in a public place. A mobile number is also a good idea, but avoid putting your dog’s name on the disc, as if a thief knows the dog’s name, they may be able to handle it more easily and call it.

2. Don’t leave your dog tied up

Try not to leave your dog tied up outside a shop, or in a car where they can easily be taken – thieves will break into a car to steal a dog.

3. Mongrels get stolen too

Just because your dog isn’t a valuable pedigree doesn’t mean it won’t be stolen. Dog thieves know how much owners love their dogs, and will sometimes steal them and claim any reward that’s offered.

4. Make sure your pup is microchipped

If your dog is stolen, if it’s microchipped it could make it much easier to trace. It’s the law that dogs in Ireland must be microchipped and registered by the age of eight weeks – but don’t forget to keep your contact details on the microchip database up-to-date.

5. Get good photos

Make sure you’ve got good photos of your dog, so if they’re stolen you can put the photo on local websites and dog sites in the hope someone’s seen it, and put up posters with the photo on in your area. It’s also worth having lots of photos of yourself with your dog, as you may need to prove it’s yours if it’s found.

6. Use different walking routes

Vary the routes you take and the times you take your dog out for a walk. A thief could try to snatch your dog if they know where it’s going to be at a particular time.

7. Train your dog to come back

Train your dog to come back when called, so if someone approaches them you’re not sure about, you can call them back. If you know their recall is poor, use an extending lead, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar area where your dog could get lost.

8. Be wary about questions

Beware strangers asking questions about your dog. A stranger could be getting information about the dog before attempting to steal it.

9. Mend fences

Make sure your garden is secure with no holes in fences, and keep an eye on your pet when it’s outside. Thieves can be opportunistic, and if your dog escapes from your garden or runs off on a walk, they may spot it and take it.

 10. If the worst happens, here’s advice from dogstrust.ie 

Immediately report it to your local Garda station. If you believe your dog has been stolen, ensure that it is recorded as such.

Report it to your Local Authority Dog Warden and your microchip database provider.

Contact local animal rescues and vets to advise them of the incident so they can take your details should anyone contact them if they find your dog.

Create a ‘Missing Poster’ for your dog which includes a clear photo and description of them including any distinctive markings they may have. Describe the incident in detail such as where they were last seen and when they went missing. Share this on social media and ‘Lost Dog’ groups and websites such as Dogs Trust Lost and Found Dogs Facebook Group. Make sure your privacy settings are set to ‘Public’ so that your poster can reach more people and you can easily be contacted. It can also be helpful to put up these posters in your area.

By Lisa Salmon, PA