Attempted dog thefts in my area

Very true Furret.
But one can only live in hope.

Never invite a door-to-door caller onto your property. If you suspect anyone take a photo of them or their vehicle. You can do this surreptitiously but it's better if they know you have done so, then hopefully they will leave you alone. I have a super friendly dog, but I grab her collar and say that they shouldn't touch her as she is snappy. Most back off quickly!

This post is really upsetting. I have 2 silly lap dogs who bark like crazy at strangers and then lick them to death when approached. The thought of my fur babies being stolen makes me feel sick because they are not beautiful thoroughbreds for breeding, just beautiful friendly companions. I don’t think I’d ever sleep again if either one was stolen because of the thought of them being used as bait. Although I know this happens all over the country, but could ‘posters’ please mention the general area they live to see if there is a pattern and perhaps we can track these scum bags and get them locked up?

Keep reporting all episodes to the police. One day it will Be realised dog theft is not the equivalent of a lawnmower! It is a family member and / or someone’s business.

I've read that some of the dog thefts (especially the less organised ones) are actually people wanting to sell them on - to fund a drug habit, etc. They'll go for pedigee dogs as they're in more demand to sell quickly (e.g. in a pub), or if they're planning to breed them (so maybe a good idea to make it clear on your dog's tag that it's been neutered?) It's not always about dog fighting. But they are ALL scum!

SueDonim

These stories are awful!

I’m also reading that people are now getting rid of pets they acquired during lockdown because they’re bored of them, and that animal sanctuaries are getting overwhelmed. They must find it a huge responsibility to safely rehome pets.

I've only just caught up with the episode of For the Love of Dogs where Battersea Dogs' Home were trying to find new homes or foster homes for the rescued dogs and cats. Paul O'Grady ended up taking another dog home with him and finding a good home for another.
It sounds as if they may soon be full again.
A dog is for life, not just for lockdown.

The thought of beloved pets being taken as bait dogs is horrifying but I do know it happens.

Trouble is, most pets are not ferocious and are trusting little souls

Oh dear, I read that and want to cry ??

How can people be so cruel?!

It must be so frightening when that happens and you’d be left absolutely distraught.

Trouble is, most pets are not ferocious and are trusting little souls ?

These stories are awful!

I’m also reading that people are now getting rid of pets they acquired during lockdown because they’re bored of them, and that animal sanctuaries are getting overwhelmed. They must find it a huge responsibility to safely rehome pets.

It is certainly rife over the country.
With any luck they will pick a ferocious bugger and get their comeuppance.
Scum bags.

The van stopped on M5 is a true story. The chap is 25 years old, from Durham. Sadly my neck of the woods!

50%+ stolen from gardens too. There was a petition presented to Parliament because the theft of a family pet is treated just the same as it someone had stolen your lawnmower, as an example.

But it was rejected. No surprise there.

BlueBelle even ‘mutts’ are stolen. They make good bait dogs ie thrown to fighting dog to encourage them to kill. They don’t even have to be stolen as they troll adverts in places like Gumtree offering dogs ‘free to a good home’.

It was happening in the country park near where I live. Three men approached a woman walking her dog and took it off her knocking her over. Another dog walker was approached by probably the same three men. She told me they asked her to give them the dog, an alsation. She told them the dog would never go with them. The dog was growling by now so they left.

The stories of the white vans stealing dogs go round here in East anglia too
But sure.y no one in this day and age would appoint a worker from the roadside or the door knock Surely most people bar someone living a very very sheltered life would not do that
I totally agree about the foolishness of people buying a mixed breed dog with a fancy name for a lot of money
The saying ‘more money than sense’ comes to mind

Give a mutt a home and you’ll probably not have any white van men knocking on your door

One of the pics circulating on FB was a white van with Irish plates. Somebody sent it to me saying that it looked like the cul-de-sac where I live. I took a look and it was right outside my bungalow! The person in the van had apparently been abusive to the person who took the photo when questioned. Said he was looking for 'work'. As a dog lover and owner, I was horrified. I know what i'd like to do to anyone who inflicts pain and distress to any animal.

Last week my friend was walking her rescued
Shnauzer on our park, he was on the lead. Two young hooded lads bent down to apparently fuss him and she realised they were trying to unclip the lead. She screamed at them and other dog walkers ran to her aid. The lads ran off, so not just White van men to look out for.

EllanVannin

I hope they meet their match----a bad-tempered Rottweiler !

Yes me too! I'm not a dog owner nor particularly a dog lover but I do understand why many people have dogs. It's appalling that dogs are being stolen in this way. Wouldn't it be a shame if the dogs turned on the thieves! NOT!

I am on Cheshire/Wales border

I've been seeing a lot on FB and a white van is involved (Midlands area) but I think it is widespread.

DH used to train working spaniels as a hobby - our award winning boy was often requested at stud. Puppies were reserved before birth and only went to knowledgeable working homes. Puppies averaged £500.

Now this current fad for designer dogs - ending with oodle - has produced what are actually first generation cross breeds at ridiculous prices.

A friend who has never had a dog in her life (she’s 66) paid £1000 for a golden doodle. Two years on, its enormous and wild as a coot as they don’t know how to train it - she’s now thinking of trying puppy classes!

Back to the OP - a van stopped last week (M5?) held almost 30 stolen puppies - unfortunately I expect the culprit will only get a slapped wrist, but that’s another story.

I noticed on Facebook that people were photographing a white van which they believed was involved in taking dogs. They were reporting sightings to the police.

This is no surprise. Not only has the price of puppies rocketed in lockdown but they are in short supply. We want to get another yellow lab. The price for a pedigree lab from a reputable breeder is now £2-3000 and none available till next July. My daughter’s working cocker was £750 a year ago but is now over £3,000.
Unscrupulous people are stealing puppies and dogs and also selling puppies that are taken from their mumtoo soon and have not had their inoculations so they get sick and die leaving the new owner with a massive vet’s bill and a broken heart.

It’s been a problem in this area, too, although they’re looking for working dogs round here, spaniels and collies. Puppies being stolen and all sorts.

EllenVannin some years ago, friends of ours had their Rottweiler guard dog stolen from their garden!

I hope they meet their match----a bad-tempered Rottweiler !