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This is a collaborative post.
As you may already be aware, there is a significant influx of theft and robbery recently. If and when the economy worsens – like cost of living crisis, it’s becoming more of a problem. When you think of ‘theft’, you may think of your car on the drive, or even your garden shed. But what about your pets? Most commonly, dogs are the go-to method of ‘snatch and grab’ by burglars, and as much as you may think it will never happen to you, it is important you do everything you can to keep your furry friends as safe as possible.
Why Thieves Steal Dogs?
As much as it sounds very strange to kidnap a pet, there are a few reasons why thieves might steal dogs (and sometimes even cats):
- Expensive breeds, as their pedigree can be worth thousands
- Selling them to “puppy mills” to breed them
- Reward – of course, this is what some of the thieves hope for
- Dog fighting, which is unfortunately still happening
Don’t Leave Your Dog Tied Up Outside A Shop
It is a very British ‘norm’ to nip out to the shop, take your dog with you for a walk, and leave them tied up outside. Obviously, you’d probably expect to return to a kid with their parents asking if they can stroke your dog, or potentially even a passing dog saying hello! What you don’t think about is the fact your dog is definitely at its most vulnerable. This scenario could be perfect for a thief to come in and untie the dog and simply walk off with it without even batting an eyelid. To combat this, make time to walk your dog and go to the shop separately.
Don’t Put Your Dog’s Name On Their Tag
Contrary to popular belief, putting the name of your dog around their collar doesn’t really do anything that a phone number can’t, in the event of your dog going missing. Hypothetically, you can just leave your phone number on the tag and advertise this on your ‘missing’ post. The reason for this is that if a thief notices the name of your dog, they are likely to call it by its name and lead it into a false sense of security. Instead of the dog’s name, put your own name for if your dog ever does go missing, so local hero’s can get in touch with you as soon as possible!
Keep All Doors Locked & Alarms Functioning
Not to state the obvious, you would be surprised how much a little neglect to your home security can have such detrimental effect, and tear families apart. There’s hardly anything more sentimental than a family dog, so always remember to lock your doors (front and back) to conflict any home intruders.
Ask yourself, when did you last set your alarm before bed? It should be stressed that just locking your doors is never enough. With some many pesky methods of lock picking, you’ll not only need that added extra surveillance, but you must make sure it is up-to-date technology. The industry for home CCTV and burglar alarms in Wigan and the rest of the UK is booming, and there are so many options for you to pick from, that you can tailor to your home.
Always Take Plenty Of Photos
We don’t doubt you already do this, but the chances are you don’t understand how important this can be if your dog goes missing. If your dog is stolen, you can use this cute (but vital) portfolio to upload to your social media and local dog sites to spread the word of your astray pooch. Once the neighbourhood can familiarise their selves with your dog, you may find that the likelihood of a fellow dog lover finding your tail-wagger, and this can also help with the potential police investigation.
What Are You Waiting For?
Do not waste any time in putting these points into action, but most importantly, keep loving your pups!