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The doghouse

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Original poster

Is my dog at risk of being stolen?

27 replies

Cantdoright1 · 29/06/2019 16:58

I live in a village and have 2 dogs. One of which is unusual looking and gets alot of attention when we are out with people querying his breeding etc and saying how attractive he is. Last night my parents took the dogs with them to a local pub. A man started asking them all about the attractive dog. He even called his mate over to look at the dog. My stupid parents ended up telling them the road we live on. They also gave the dogs age - they were wrong as he's older and they didn't tell the guys he's castrated.

Today my parents were walking down my cul-de-sac with my kids and saw a car drive down our dead end, turn round and drive off. Dad thinks the guy was the one from the pub looking at my dog last night. Mum says she didnt look at the people in the car.

My parents are very relaxed and never worry about anything but they have said something was off about the amount of enthusiasm the bloke had for the dog last night and they are spooked by the car today. They didn't notice last night but have since thought it was off. They did say the blokes had been drinking and were in a big group of 10 blokes. They saw them leave and some seemed to live in the village and some drove away.

I know I'll get flamed for the next bit but there are alot of travellers in this area and there have been a few dogs taken over the years. This is a lovely area though where to can leave a window open when you go out without worry.

Now im scared to leave the house incase they come and take my dog. Of course im annoyed with my parents but damage is done now. The blokes have shown no interest in my other dog.

My dogs are microchipped and I have recent photos. What else can I do to make them safe? Im scared to leave them but can't take them everywhere with me.

OP posts:
BettaSplenden · 29/06/2019 17:05

I'd be concerned tbh and I'd probably up my house security in light if this. I'd also pair up when walking him etc and try to vary where and when you got for a while. Seems a bit OTT but I had a friend who had a French bulldog stolen during a mugging. Luckily she got the dog back but it was a a nasty experience and only luck that they got the dog back.

CMOTDibbler · 29/06/2019 17:08

It does sound like they are at risk. Don't leave the dogs out in the garden unsupervised, don't leave them outside a shop tied up or in the charge of a child, and don't leave them in the car on their own or with just the children for any amount of time.

A lot of dogs get stolen round here, especially those who look like they would be good for coursing or as gun dogs. One of mine is very unusual and attractive and would have been bred for deer coursing (he's a rescue) and does attract attention from the wrong sort of people. I'm always careful to tell them that he has no prey drive, is castrated, and keep him on the lead if theres anyone around I'm unsure of

missbattenburg · 29/06/2019 17:13

Sounds scary.

The best thing to do (I think) is make it so it is not worth their while stealing him.

  • Visible security cameras
  • Visible house alarm
  • Strong locks on doors
  • Strong locks on windows
  • Timers on lights so it looks like someone is home even when not
  • Same for radio (timers)
  • Signs on the doors/windows that the house has security monitoring
  • Do not leave the dog alone in the garden, fit an alarm or loud bell to any garden gates
  • Try not to leave the dog alone at all, at least for a few weeks (this is a key one - dogs are mainly taken from gardens)
  • Try to keep an unpredictable routine if you do have to leave the house
  • Keep hedges etc trimmed so there is minimum plant cover for anyone breaking in
  • Keep the dog on lead for any walks for the foreseeable, unless absolutely sure he will not run off and you can see clearly no one is around
  • Do not walk in the same places, same routines, same time of day
  • Security lights outside

I appreciate you probably cannot do all of the above, just pick what you can do or think most appropriate for your cricumstances.

stayathomegardener · 29/06/2019 17:16

Quite frankly I would put cctv in and expect my parents to pay given they caused this situation.

I would also want them back in the pub openly publicising this.

Prominent signs advertising cctv too help.

Can you tell I have a stealable dog I adore. Wink

Claredogmum · 29/06/2019 17:31

I think that's dodgy. I would keep an a close eye on your hound. I have a dog that's also a rescue that attracts a lot of attention from people as she would have been used for coursing.
I've had men in cars stop to ask me about her. I always say she's very old and poorly to put them off. It's scary and my worst nightmare to have one if mine stolen.

EL8888 · 29/06/2019 17:34

Sounds dodgy to me and l can see why you are concerned. As other people have said l would beef up your security, vary your routine and not leave your dog unattended. Your parents need to think more carefully when opening their mouths in future

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 29/06/2019 17:34

Post on your village’s FB page warning others about the two men taking an unusual interest in your dog. Give descriptions and say about the car turning. Ask people to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.

Soontobe60 · 29/06/2019 17:39

Most dogs are taken for breeding purposes, a castrated dog would be no use. Anyone can see if a dog still has its balls! You're worrying unnecessarily.

Soontobe60 · 29/06/2019 17:41

Post on your village’s FB page warning others about the two men taking an unusual interest in your dog. Give descriptions and say about the car turning. Ask people to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.
Don't forget the 'traveller' reference. A little bit of racism always goes down well on Facebook pages 🤔

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 29/06/2019 17:53

Umm, not what I was suggesting at all! OP didn’t say they were travellers.

Fucksandflowers · 30/06/2019 10:31

I think it sounds like the dogs absolutely are at risk, sorry.

missbattenburg gave excellent advice, I would in addition spread a warning round Facebook and report on 101 non emergency police line.

We have travellers often round here, whilst I appreciate you shouldn't tar everybody with the same brush, I would be extremely wary and don't care one bit if people think that is racist.
Opinions are naturally formed on what you see, if most travellers you meet are unpleasant that will affect how you view that group of people in future.

The last camp I saw had crates outside and dogs tethered on rope, mostly French bulldogs and pugs. Make of that what you will.

IAmAlwaysLikeThis · 30/06/2019 10:36

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Fucksandflowers · 30/06/2019 10:40

It's not 'fine' no, we shouldn't tar everyone with the same brush but I stand by what I said, if your only experience of black people was negative then I think you'd probably be wary yes.
Not saying that is 'right' at all but I think it is accurate.

IAmAlwaysLikeThis · 30/06/2019 10:44

Then you're a racist. Enjoy that.

Not relevant to the thread really so let's leave it but sick of the attitude you see on here.

Fucksandflowers · 30/06/2019 10:48

If that is what you think of me that's fine.

I don't judge people on their skin colour or accent or birthplace or religion.
I judge them on their actions.

I won't go into details as it could be outing but I've had plenty of traveller interactions, none of them good.
So naturally, I am wary.

Original poster
Cantdoright1 · 30/06/2019 11:42

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply. I haven't left my dog alone and have got a couple of companies coming tomorrow to give me quotes on an alarm system.

I knew at least one person would say its racist to say its travellers but over the years i've met 3 people who've had dogs taken and all 3 were with travellers. That's not racist, that's just fact. Of course there are plenty of other scumbags that nick dogs too. I just wish my parents had told them hes castrated as they may have put them off. They also told the bloke he was young when he isnt'. Cant bear the thought of my little man being taken :(

OP posts:
Cherrypies · 30/06/2019 12:01

You are absolutely right to be worried, dog theft is rife and getting worse. All the precautions already stated are good.
If you are on twitter you will see plenty missing, suspected stolen.
Did you see the case of a dog walker, that lost 5 dogs, said they all ran away in woods, then changed the story, believe the police are now involved. Owners heartbroken, so sad.

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 30/06/2019 12:39

Did you see the case of a dog walker, that lost 5 dogs, said they all ran away in woods, then changed the story

Shock did the dog walker sell them??

stucknoue · 30/06/2019 13:06

It could be they want to approach you to consider breeding rather than stealing but as that isn't possible they will disappear. I'm not aware of cases where dog thieves have actually broken in, it's usually opportunistic

missbattenburg · 30/06/2019 13:10

I'm not aware of cases where dog thieves have actually broken in

There are cases. Approx 20% of stolen dogs are taken as a result of burglary.

missbattenburg · 30/06/2019 13:15

pettheft.org.uk/press.php

Scattyhattie · 30/06/2019 14:49

Hopefully it will be fine but sensible to have better security anyway & lesson for the parents that not everyone has good intentions so don't give away where you live.

I feel for you as I had similar creepy experience in the pub, the chap of a couple was interested in my lurcher which isn't unusual but he suddenly checked her mouth then whispered something to lady & left soon after. I felt really uncomfortable walking home that night.

She's pretty but has crap conformation & not really built for speed like lurcher should be, as she's a former stray it worried me maybe he thought recognized her (unlikely as not adopted locally).

Dogs aren't always stolen for breeding prospects though its most likely, sometimes they sell the dogs on or even want a ransom for return. They may use sighthound types for hunting/ racing & then dump if no use.

Cherrypies · 30/06/2019 15:03

JoxerGoesToStuttgart
I cant comment on that as nobody knows that yet, just under investigation as far as I have read.

HUZZAH212 · 30/06/2019 15:07

Several years ago a car full of blokes pulled up next to me, opened the back door and whistled to my off lead dog, who promptly jumped in on their knee. I made a massive deal of how how she has a very expensive medical condition (she doesn't). They chatted a few mins and ushered the dog out of the car and waved bye. I was shaking like a leaf after. It's scary people can be that blatant. Stay vigilant OP

Whathappenedtooursummer · 30/06/2019 15:12

Don't let your dp's take them out again - prob offer them a walkmydoggy session!