Why would anyone do this?

[ginasevern]

Tie their dog up outside of shops. It worries me to death and makes me so angry. Don't these owners realise that their dog, in the blinking of an eye and so easily, could be taken away by anyone.

Dogs aren't just stolen to be sold, they are also taken for animal experimentation, hare coursing and for animal porn and/or torture websites.

The chances of ever seeing your dog again are negligible and god only knows what unthinkable fate you could be condemning it to.

It's not as if stolen dogs have never been in the news is it. Just why do it?

I don’t leave my dogs alone, ever. Except in the house. Dog-nappings are too common and I’d hate to think of my dogs ending up in a fighting ring being ripped to shreds.

TBH I rarely let people pat my dogs now - I once witnessed someone unclip a dog they were pattings collar…they could easIly have grabbed it and run off.

In quantifying risk there’s both likelihood and impact. Both are weighed against the benefits (which are usually certain and significant in the case of those who let their dogs off the lead deep in the forest - or even tie them up outside shops).

I do one of these things but not the other. But I don’t judge anyone who ties their dog outside a shop where I live. It’s only one shop in ten that doesn’t allow dogs and those are small quick-stop shops like bakers. More to the point, everyone knows everyone and their dog here, and with pavements full of people passing the time of day or lingering on benches or sitting outside the seven cafes we have on a short stretch of high street, there are always friendly eyes on your dog.

I do and so do a lot of other people where I live. It's fine.

Blimey! Surely dog owners can make a risk assessment based on cost/ benefits, likelihood of risk etc.
@NewYearNewPyjamas wearing a seat belt is also the law. Before the law came in, many people chose not to wear one. You are taking a risk every time you get into your car.
I could get run over by a car every time I left my house, but I still leave my house. There is danger out there, and as adults we make a decision each day how much risk we are willing to take based on the kind or life we want to live. And yet here we are, telling people they are wrong for choosing a different level of risk to one we feel comfortable with, when it is such an individual thing, based on so many variables.
I can highly recommend the book 'Scaredy Squirrel' which makes the point dar better than me.

Dogs are never stolen for experimentation. Dogs used in labs are specifically bred for research. They are almost always beagles and they have to be traceable back to the breeding facility. There are very strict regulations about the use of animals, partly for welfare but also for experimental validity so they know the history of the animal. So that alone is a complete myth.

I would be interested in seeing stats about how many dogs are stolen from outside shops. I suspect the people making extreme videos of animal abuse online either target specific dogs and break into gardens for them, or buy them on Gumtree, or even breed them themselves. It’s a bit risky if that’s your business to just assume there’ll be a supply of unguarded dogs outside shops.

I’m not saying it’s not a risk to leave your dog outside a shop. I think though that it’s a small risk and your OP is a bit hysterical.

It's not something I do but I do get a bit at the view that there is only one at to keep a dog well.

I agree with this when it comes to most aspects of dog ownership - things like diet, where dogs sleep or where they sit in cars, how much exercise they get and whether you own a garden etc.

But I do think if you're going to do something that means a dog is left unattended in public then I think it's normal for people to be a bit about it - especially as at that point it can be a risk to other people too.

It's also the law to have your dog under control in public spaces. If you're not with it then how can you ensure it is under control?

I'm not saying I'm a scaredy squirrel. I'm just saying you can't use the excuse of risk for leaving your dog as a wrapped present for dog snatchers because you think it's unlikely. It is but when it happens to you, you'd wish you hadn't done that.

It's more of a worry that a tied up dog could attack a passing child, surely.

I@NewYearNewPyjamas it's also the law that your dog must be under control at all times.

How is a dog tied up and alone under anyone's control?

Exactly. It's not. So it's breaking the law and shouldn't be done.

Well, yes there are bestiality vids in existence.

Dogs are taken mostly as bait, I overheard two men talking about it, the one was very animated and got told to shut up. To this day I wish I had recorded their conversation, but I was alone, in an unsavoury area of town where animals had been reported missing.

I would not leave my dog tied up unless I lived in a quiet village perhaps.

I agree. I would never leave my dog tied up outside a shop. Anything could happen to him. He’s also a rescue and his last owners tied him to a tree, left him there without food or water and never came back. He would be so stressed if we left him tied up somewhere he might think it was happening again. I wouldn’t dream of doing that to him even for a few minutes.

Sorry @NewYearNewPyjamas that was aimed at @AreYouShittingMe - that'll teach me to respond without my glasses on 😂

@NewYearNewPyjamas I'm not calling you a 'scaredy squirrel' I'm referring to a book 🙄.
It seems like the point of my post has been missed regarding risk assessment. And individual choice, and assumptions being made about how there are some posters on here that all scenarios are the same. Lots of shops near me have windows that mean dog are in sight all the time if left outside.
There isn't a 'one size fits all' as some PP are implying, and coming across as judgy towards others. Yes, dogs need to be in control an all time but it's clear for the many posts on here (not this through but dog threads on MN in general) that they are not.
I don't leave my dog tied up outside shops as she is reactive but I don't judge those who do. They want to take that 'risk'- that's up to them. Why do others feel the need to judge the actions of others if it has no impact on them? No caring dog owner is going to put their dog deliberately in a dangerous situation.
I've had some really shitty things happen in my life which have happened completely out of the blue. I'm not going to live my life in fear 'just in case'. That's my choice, based on my life experience. Live and let live is what I say.

I know you're not but thanks so much for the unnecessary, judgemental eye roll. I am specifically saying that's not the reason I don't do it.

To me, people that leave their dogs tied outside shops are the same people that tell me not to worry because their dog is friendly. They have no idea what their beast is capable of or what's required for dog ownership.

But I do think if you're going to do something that means a dog is left unattended in public then I think it's normal for people to be a bit about it - especially as at that point it can be a risk to other people too.

I think it depends on the dog, depends on the location, depends on the situation.

I see the farmer here leave his collie (not tied up) sat in the open back of his truck when he goes into the shop. Anyone tall enough reaches over to pet the dog who seems to care not. The dog doesn't move from where he's left - almost certainly a lifetime of training to stay where he's put helps.

But I wouldnt do it with my dog even if I had such a truck - because he's likely to bark at anyone trying to pet him, panic and try to escape over the side

Similarly I suspect that farmer would be less likely to leave several thousands of pounds worth of trained collie in the open truck in a Tesco carpark in a city.

Same action - different environment, different risk profile.

Hi. I have a dog he is 11 months old and is with me 24/7. I have started to tie him up outside of shops by chain and pad locks and muzzle.him. I have written a note to say his is a scared. dog. And not to pet. Please give me space. I think I have done everything I can to keep him save and everyone else to.

I have to ask - if he's scared, why are you leaving him chained up, muzzled and alone in public?

@catelynjane glad you asked!

Where go you place this written note? I imagine they'll be defending themselves from your nervous dog rather than reading a note...

I used to leave my old dog in front of shops. He was super placid but hated being picked up (except by me) so good luck to the person who would have tried to snatch him.

My now dog, I can't even imagine the drama if I was to consider that. I'd be the one snatched in the shop just to be urgently reunited with him so he shuts the fuck up.

Pleased you had that Reaction. That's what I was looking for. He is real friendly dog I just don't what anyone to touch him. I also say we don't lick Strangers every time we pass someone so no one trys to Stroke him. It great it stop the Randoms taking to me too.

This almost happened to me. Mind you I did not leave my dog completely unattended. I live in the U.S and was out for a walk with my previous dog who has now passed away. I just stopped into a gas station to grab a drink and tied my dog outside the door and put him in a down stay. I knew he would be in my line of sight wasn't worried about him moving. So I went in to get my drink while waiting in line I kept looking over to make sure he was still in down stay and not trying to greet customers coming in and out and to my horror a lady was untying him and walking back to her car with him. I ran out the door yelling at her to let my dog go. I had to literally grab the leash out of her hand. I asked her what she thought she was doing taking my dog.... she just mumbled that she was trying to help me....I'm like help me by stealing my dog?? I also lived in a small town where not much crime took place but that goes to show you that you just never know about people. Definitely agree with you....do not do this. Ever.

It doesn't matter if he's friendly, you're putting him in an incredibly vulnerable position by chaining him up and muzzling him and then leaving him alone.

Oh his not scard. I just tell people that to put them off petting him. And stop people trying to take him. He has muzzle just for safety as I think all dogs should be muzzled no matter the breed. I was thinking of saying he had an illness but don't think this would stop people trying to pet. The chains are also for safety no one can cut them.

@AngieBear41

I am so relieved to hear you managed to save your dog. God knows what the woman would've done with him but you most certainly wouldn't have seen him again. You must have been very shaken.