Pet Theft is Real. Don’t Let it Happen to You

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A terrible thing happened to a California pet owner last weekend.

In San Jose, a woman had her 9-week-old French Bulldog puppy snatched from her lap in a Target store parking lot on Saturday. The woman told KRON4 news after shopping, a man pulled up in a car beside her, got out, opened her passenger-side door and grabbed the puppy from her lap on the driver’s side.

The woman tried to fight for her dog – even to the point of being dragged by the suspect’s car – but to no avail. She reported the theft to the police.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first theft of Frenchies in the Bay Area, according to KRON4.

Pet theft is a real problem. An estimated 2 million companion animals are stolen each year in the United States, according to Animal Wellness Magazine, citing the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Some believe pet theft is on the rise.

Why do people steal pets? One reason is money. Purebred dogs can worth thousands of dollars, and anything expensive is an attractive target. (The woman in San Jose noted this fact.) Another reason is demand for pets amid tough economic and social times. During the Covid pandemic people adopted pets at record numbers to ease feelings of loneliness and isolation. There are unscrupulous people who see stealing pet as a way to make a profit.

There is a practice called “dog flipping” – stealing or adopting a dog with the intention of reselling it.

Plus, when certain breeds come into fashion, it can prompt thieves to target them. Puppies can be especially vulnerable.

Among the most commonly stolen breeds:

Siberian Huskies
Labradors
Small breeds like toy and miniature poodles, Yorkshire terriers, Shih Tzus and Maltese.
German Shepherds (especially as puppies)
Bulldogs
French Bulldogs

The reasons include attractiveness, popularity, small size and pleasant personality (i.e. the Frenchies). Expensive and easy to “snatch-and-grab” smaller dogs are among the most often stolen, according to the American Kennel Club.

For cats, it seems recognizable breeds like Siamese, Sphinx and long-haired breeds like ragdolls or Maine Coon are most at risk.

What can you do prevent your dog from being stolen? And if he or she is stolen, what can you do get them back?

The Animal Legal Defense Fund offers these tips:

Be aware of the issue and your environment: Animals who are left unattended and unmonitored are more vulnerable to pet theft (and other abuses). Take precautions like not leaving your animals alone in the yard, and not tying them up outside of a store while you go inside.
Keep clear and current documentation connecting you with your animals: This could include adoption papers, veterinary records, proofs of purchase for animal care supplies, and identifying photographs.
Keep contact information on animal collars and tags updated: Use phone numbers and/or email addresses that are legible and reliable.
Have your animals microchipped: You can have your pet microchipped at most animal shelters or veterinary clinics. Sometimes shelters, rescue groups, and other organizations will hold free or low cost microchip clinics. Be sure to register the chip with the manufacturer’s registry, and with universal microchip registries like Michelson Found Animals’ registry. Update your contact information with these registries, if you move or change your phone number.
Be familiar with your neighborhood and its animals: Enable your neighbors to do the same. Where dog walkers and pet sitters are involved, encourage introductions so that suspicions are not misplaced.
Invite your police precinct and/or a crime victim advocate from your local prosecutor’s office to address and advise your neighborhood: These law enforcement representatives can let you how serious an issue pet theft is in your community, and any patterns of pet theft you should be aware of.
Call the police: Pet theft is most often a violation of a state’s general theft and larceny laws, and a few state criminal codes specifically address the theft of animals—for example, Michigan, New York, and North Carolina. If your pet is stolen or if you witness a suspected pet theft, a 911 call is appropriate. The dispatcher will triage and route the call. Victims of pet theft should file formal written complaints with their local law enforcement and humane agencies.
Alert the news media: If your pet has been stolen, reach out to local TV news stations and newspapers. They can help amplify your effort to find your stolen pet.
Post flyers in your neighborhood, and to social media: Alert your community and engage them in your effort to find your stolen pet. Put up flyers in and near your neighborhood (lost and stolen pet flyer templates can be found online). Take advantage of social media in looking for your lost pet. Post to your community’s lost and found pets Facebook pages and to Nextdoor. You want to reach as many people as you can to help be on the lookout for your stolen pet.
Search for sale ads: If your pet has been stolen by a pet flipper, he or she may wind up for sale online. Check local message boards and for sale ads.
Check your local animal shelters and online adoption listings: A stolen pet may wind up at an animal shelter. Visit your local shelters in person to see if your stolen pet is there. Stolen pets are sometimes left at veterinary clinics and with groomers, as well. Also regularly check online adoption ads.