Dognapping is a term you will have most certainly read about in a newspaper or heard on the news, and an unfortunate reality for many dog owners across the globe. In a nutshell, dognapping is when someone steals a dog without permission from its owner or those that care for that dog.
If you've ever had a dog or even watched Dog Whisperer, you know how important they can be in our lives. In fact, there's a long list of breeds that are considered the most "predictable" for dognapping.
According to a recent DogLost survey, dognapping has risen to 170% from 2019 to 2020 in the UK alone.
5 Ways To Help Prevent Dognapping
There are some ways to prevent dognapping. The most obvious way is to keep your dog on an anti-theft lead, but there are other methods as well.
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One of the most effective ways is microchipping because all shelters or vets check it. You can get your dog back as the microchip is traceable.
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Where possible, always walk with another person, and not on your own.
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Where possible, walk your dog in a busy, populated area.
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Spaying and neutering can come in handy as most dognappers steal dogs that are intact because they can resell them to backyard breeders and puppy mills.
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Beware of any strangers asking too many questions about your dog. You should also report any suspicious cars or people in your area to prevent dog abductions.
Conclusion
Dognapping is an increasing problem, and the number of cases is rising every year. However, you can control this problem by keeping your dog on a leash, microchipping, and keeping him indoors when you are not around.