Protect your Pet from Pet Nappers

In recent months the American Kennel Club has reported that pet napping numbers are up. They believe that because of the struggling economy, desperate criminals are looking for other ways to make money fast. These petty criminals are targeting expensive looking breeds, purebreds and puppies. Pet thieves are using many different techniques to get their hands on expensive breeds. Many will snatch dogs tied up outside of a local business while the owner is inside running errands. Other thieves will pose as potential buyers of puppies so they can get a layout of the home, only to break in later. Some will even steal pets out of people’s yards

Puppies can fetch a good price on the “black market”. People will steal pets and sell them at flea markets, out of cars or even through online classified ads. Many people don’t know that these pets are stolen or simply ignore the fact because the pet will be a gift and the price is right.

Authorities say that the main reason pets are targeted is that it is a crime of opportunity. Most thieves don’t wake up in the morning expecting to steal a pet. In most cases the thief will see a pet left alone with no one watching, so they steal it.

Things you can do to prevent pet theft include the following:
• ID your pet with a microchip or a tattoo
• Beware of suspicious persons loitering around your home or neighborhood
• Never leave your pet unattended in your car or tied up in front of a store while conducting business inside
• Be suspicious of people coming into your home to buy puppies