Chalk marks on our garden wall now I’m on edge

[billybagpuss]

There has been a spate of dog thefts in our area most of them have been preceded by some marker on the property, most commonly chalk marks. This morning on our walk I noticed a big one on the side of our garden wall. Obviously I’ve washed it off, but now I’m on edge with every van that drives around here.

Usually she sleeps in her crate in the kitchen and unless she went ballistic at them I’m unlikely to hear anything. I don’t know whether to try and move her. I’m really on edge.

Any suggestions, I have logged with the police.

[cheesecrackersandchips]

Yes also had some of our horses get the plaits in them. Very strange. No idea who is doing it. It's gone on for years. They're playing a very long game if they're trying to steal them.

[Reedwarbler]

Chalk marks and cable ties as theft markers remind me of the one a few years ago of horse thieves allegedly putting a plait into the mane of horses they wanted to steal, which was also totally untrue, but, boy did that cause some panic. (It was demonstrated that wind blowing through a long mane can cause a dreadlock effect that looks like a plait). It really doesn't bear any serious analysis at all. Why would a thief not just note down your address or take a photo? How are you supposed to see chalk marks in the dark? What happens when the rain washes it off? For horses, was the thief supposed to walk round the horses hunting for one with a plait? What nonsense.
There was some muttering about 'cable tie theft markers' round here, until someone pointed out they had been used to previously affix (now long vanished) laminated signs.

[Wolfiefan]

It’s been all over FB here. No proof that chalk marks or cable ties (which people have also been reporting) have anything at all to do with dog thefts.
That said there are a lot of dog thefts at the moment. I am lucky I don’t work out of the home but I’m super cautious.

[UnfinishedSymphon]

My mum was approached by a bloke early one morning last week when walking her terrier, he asked the dogs name and stroked her whilst asking if she's been spayed, amongst other things! Mum got scared at this point and said he looked like he was trying to unclip her collar from the lead under the guise of stroking her head/neck, luckily she was only 2 houses away from hers and her neighbour was just going to work so she shouted him and the bloke scarpered.

I've told her to leave her walks until a little later when there's more people about as she's in a semi rural area

[cheesecrackersandchips]

In a world of camera phones and fast cars/vans with false plates it seems pretty unlikely that the chalk marks are the identifiers of choice.

I'm not saying it couldn't be true but it's a bizarre way to operate a crime gang.

[userxx]

Fair enough. Limescale on walls can also cause a chalky effect, try not to panic too much.

[billybagpuss]

I reported on the website yesterday not expecting any response at all to be honest and the police have been round to look at them, they said they have analysts trying to follow patterns as there have been a lot in our area and they are taking chalk marks very seriously.

[userxx]

Police MOCKED for warning residents of criminal markings outside homes - ‘An urban myth!’
POLICE officers in the capital have been mocked for warning its residents about supposed criminal markings and symbols that other forces have dismissed as urban myths

Not necessarily.

[GCAcademic]

Oh god, the typos in that post

[GCAcademic]

@yearinyearout

Not trying to worry you but I feel us dog mummas have to stick together and share information like this x

It's pretty important to share info that's actually true though, and not just random posts on FB with no foundation in facts. And just because a local police social media assistant mentioned it (they'd obviously read it on fb as well!) doesn't mean it's true.

Surely the police don't allow false information about crimes to be put out on social media, though? I mean, I know social media people are a law into themselves, but you'd think that policing would be one sector where the organisation would keep a very tight reign on what was being put out there.

[Jayaywhynot]

Put some signage up too "CCTV in operation 24 hrs" you can buy them cheap enough on ebay

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

Sorry you had such a stressful day OP and glad you're feeling a bit better today. Honestly the fact that you saw that on a police post really grinds my gears! It's not a thing, it's coincidence and confirmation bias - police comms should know better.

[CatSmith]

Did you get a photo of the chalk mark? For no other reason than it would be useful to all dog owners to know what to look out for.

[billybagpuss]

Lots of great suggestions on here. It’s such a cruel crime, I wish you could get some sort of tracker on the chip instead of just a collar, that was you could follow where you dog has gone and it wouldNt be removable without surgery.

This would be amazing, I’ve researched gps tracking a lot due to her non existent recall when chase mode kicks in but they all look like they’d come off too easily.

[WildAboutMyPlanet]

Regardless of what is and isn’t a myth, taking extra cautions is always a good thing especially if local dog thefts have increased. My dog being stolen is one of my biggest fears in life, I don’t know how she would cope, it terrifies me. Lots of great suggestions on here. It’s such a cruel crime, I wish you could get some sort of tracker on the chip instead of just a collar, that was you could follow where you dog has gone and it wouldNt be removable without surgery.

[movingonup20]

We also have a gps tracker on his collar - for different reasons, he was capable of scaling 6ft fences until arthritis kicked in.

[cheesecrackersandchips]

Yes this was our local myth. It was actually leaflet delivery people marking where they'd done.

[userxx]

Wasn't this a Facebook myth doing the rounds a few years ago.

[movingonup20]

Depends on the breed a lot, most dogs aren't worth much. Don't leave unattended in the garden unless it's secured (we have 6ft gates to the back locked). Good luck to anyone who tries it with mine, they will earn a trip to a&e!

[Besom]

Why would a thief obviously mark where they were going to steal? That would be a stupid thing for any thief to do. Especially as this myth has been going round for like 15 years at least. I'm sorry but it makes zero sense. Also with a quick google - all I can find in terms of statements by police forces are them saying there is NO link between marks and dog theft and just ignore social media (Suffolk and Cambridgeshire) Just take basic precautions and don't fret about it.

[yearinyearout]

Not trying to worry you but I feel us dog mummas have to stick together and share information like this x

It's pretty important to share info that's actually true though, and not just random posts on FB with no foundation in facts. And just because a local police social media assistant mentioned it (they'd obviously read it on fb as well!) doesn't mean it's true.

[Greentulips1]

Also in my area we have been having people drive in vans. One will knock on the door trying to sell fish while the other man looks in the garden. So be aware of any suspicious knocks on the door too. Not trying to worry you but I feel us dog mummas have to stick together and share information like this x

[Greentulips1]

You should report it to the police. My local area is also full of dog thefts at the mo and I saw on the local police Facebook page they said the report any unusual activity that may relate to dog thefts. Police are obviously trying to join the dots.

This type of thing fills me with dread! When my boy goes into the garden for his business I now don't take my eyes off him.

Keep your fur baby safe and maybe notify your neighbours too so you can all keep an eye out x

[Besom]

@GCAcademic

I also though the chalk mark thing was an urban myth, but it was definitely mentioned on social media last week by one police force in relation to a recent theft.

I would put this down to someone in the police Comms team getting carried away with themselves before being shown any further evidence.

[Besom]

The chalk thing is an urban myth. Check Snopes.