so many dogs going missing

All you here is a lot of dogs going missing also cats any one else been having problems with this loads on face book you have to watch were your walking also been taking them out of gardens and breaking into houses there been taking a lot of bull terriers it's frightening

So please, please, please everyone, make sure your dogs are microchipped. We are constantly getting stray dogs in that aren't microchipped. It costs next to nothing and, while it may not stop someone stealing your dog, you stand a better chance of getting it back if it's microchipped.

We got Rio microchipped the other day, there's an active dog stealing gang working in Hampshire at the moment. I can't even think about someone getting their hands on him

Also, keep your microchip updated! The amount of times we scanned and called the details to have somebody say that sold the dog to the bloke down the pub who they don't have the details for, helpful! Some may be excuses but it's a waste of valuable time chasing up dead end sources.

Great tips Mark & Rach ! It's awful isn't it. It's big here too, and particular breeds unfortunately Staffy's are in 'high demand'. They have been putting posters on light posts outside houses being targeted etc., just have to be SO alert. I'd be devastated if anyone took my boy, my gosh! Keep our babies safe everyone x

My worst nightmare. I've heard that people are marking houses with chalk to show there's a dog inside so when they come back to steal they know the exact house. Its such a cruel,evil thing to do.

What I would like to know what they doing with these dogs and cats my brother had his cat taken from his garden some one seen someone call his cat stroke it and it's been missing since in the west midlands it's getting really bad you carnt leave your dog for one second on its own we need to get to the bottom of this

Terrible there was people in my area only described as an elderly lady and 2 blokes the lady distracted u while the bloke unclipped the lead shocking the lengths these people go to

markrobo wrote:What I would like to know what they doing with these dogs and cats

You don't want to know.

dread to think if you have a dog things to look for any unusual activity such as stickers, chalk marks, or anything else .

What ever next

I was thinking about this the other day..on advice from a friend I have recently put a "my sbt lives here" sign up in my front window. But then I wondered am I just advertising the fact to a potential dog thief?

The way I see it you fight fire with fire, if they try anything like that with my dog then there are no longer any rules.

Its a huge problem here as well...my Facebook is trashed with so many reports of missing dogs...they don't seem to be targeting one particular breed, its anything they can get their hands on! My friend has a puppy Jack Russell, she left the house the other day to find a random chalk square marked outside her gates. Worrying! I wouldn't advise putting a 'SBT lives here' sign up...I guess its just advertising.

It's scary! I watched an interview with some people that actually stole dogs and cats, they used to get local kids to get peoples cats and dogs to use them for bait for there fighting dogs it's sad x

Personally I wouldn't have an "SBT lives here" sign just in case. Thankfully my garden is completely enclosed so Flo can relax and so can we. I just find human nature incredible, how can people do this

People without a conscience or thought for their actions many older people werent aware of the dog theft so any small dog owners i was giving the heads up the police didnt have enough evidence though these people attempted the theft with 2 different owners they even cut the dogs lead . World is a funny place

I definately wouldn't put a sign up either as SBT are in high demand here for theft for dog fighting/puppy farming etc. I have even changed my front fences so you can't see in any more, just as a precaution. I have also had 3 lots of people stop me in the street and question if my boy is a purebred or not, I have laughed it off saying no he's from the pound (shelter?) and they seem to have lost interest, I would NEVER tell them he's a purebred which is such a shame because I'd sure love to show him off! It's so upsetting what these scum are doing by taking them and their reasons, at the end of the day if they want them they will get them no matter how hard we try to deter them. I have a friend who had hers stolen from her own backyard while she was home !!!

Few years ago we had all our chickens stolen from our garden. Luckily the 8 we have now alarm call when anyone comes in the garden - teenage boys keep 'accidentally' chucking their ball in our garden and then climb over the fence to get it.

Stress so much that they're scouting out the flats for dogs.

Something needs to be done

I dont do Face Book, so thats the first I have heard. What areas are they targeting? Thats so awful. Like Liz says, you really dont want to know why.

Midlands and surrounding areas

I think the chalk marking is mainly leaflet drop or canvassing firms so they know which streets have been done. If you think about it, if someone wants to steal a dog, they would just take note of the address, rather than mark the house.
If it happens when you're out with your dog my advice would be to make as much noise as you can, which would probably put your dog into an agitated state, and maybe, make it more protective towards you. I would also un-clip the lead, as they would then have to try and catch the dog who is now in a wary state, it also gives you something to lash out with.
Having said all that, in the 15 years of walking a Stafford, we've never had anything to worry us.
I did read on Facebook about a woman who was supposedly stabbed today by someone trying to take her dog, but nothing about this alleged attack on the news.
Pete

I think the marking with chalk is a little bit of an urban myth and is more likely to be something completely different. To be honest just keep your wits about you, if someone shows undue attention be wary but don't let this make you scared just be cautious

I think a lot of the things you hear on Facebook and from people is just scare mongering and rumours. I know it happens but I don't think it's as bad as it's made out to be. I don't think many people would try to steal your dog from you whilst out walking or mark houses etc. People like a rumour!

Yes its so worrying

area where i live there was 2 attempted dog thefts and one said capture cut the dogs lead with a knife i read on police scotlands website. think the theft less likely with staffy owners as the dogs are so loyal and go on your mood and senses its always good to be vigilant anyway at night in particular