I heard about this latest casualty of the bad economy on Mike Signorile's show today. Mike is a fellow dog-lover who recently rescued an adorable pit bull puppy, Artie. There's been an increase in dog thefts lately:
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) Companion Animal Recovery National Pet Theft Database, approximately 224 pets have been reported stolen so far in 2011 compared to 150 in the same seven-month period last year.People do some really nasty things to animals.
"We are getting reports almost daily of pets stolen during home invasions, out of parked cars while people are running errands and even snatched during walks in the park," says AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "We've even seen a new trend of dogs being stolen from shelters and adoption events." Fortunately, many pets that are microchipped are recovered and returned to their owners.
Why do people steal pets? Some may take purebreds to resell them on the internet or at roadside sales, while others might hold them for ransom. Some steal them to keep as pets for themselves, or as a no-cost "gift" for a friend or family member. Wag'N Enterprises adds that stolen pets are also sometimes sold to research laboratories or pet stores, used as puppy mill breeders or as bait or fighters for dog-fighting rings. In rarer instances, they can be sold as meat to feed exotic pets or humans, or used for their fur. (Some say it is difficult to distinguish cat fur from rabbit or shepherd from fox!)
When we adopted Petey, he was microchipped. And, I never leave him tied up outside when I go to the store. I was the same way with Boomer. Won't do it. Also, he's never off leash.
