Dog shaving?

I know this is going to sound really random but has anyone heard of people shaving unattended dogs? Casper has been out in the garden for an hour, come back in and was having his usual rough and tumble with Miley, then I've crated them both for some down time and noticed s big bald patch on his neck. I initially thought it was a result of miley's teeth, but when I've inspected it there is no scratch, graze or dot of blood. It's totally smooth down to the skin and not a small patch either. another possibility is a reaction to the new lead (figure of eight) which he had on for the first time today for about half an hour, but he hasn't been scratching it and doesn't seem at all bothered by it. The only other option ive come up with is someone has actually managed to get in to the back and for some unknown reason shaved him..I've been to the neighbour to ask if they've noticed anything unusual or if their dogs were barking during his hour out, but they bark over cars passing etc so neighbours can't be sure..however they have let me see their back garden and turns out that on their side of the fence is a lowish wall that could be stood on to get over to my garden, and one possible way into their garden from the outside, so it is not totally impossible that someone could get into mine via their garden, although how they'd get back again I don't know as its a high fence..so I know people who go looking for dogs to steal paint markings outside the house, but am wondering if anyone might have heard of potential targets also being shaven? He's going to the vet after work tomorrow just to see what he thinks this bald patch is and obviously is not going out in the garden alone again.

Can you post a photo of the mark?

From time to time you get rumours in the horse world about what are called witches' plaits in horses manes being theives marking horses. There is no single case I know of where this has been true. If you think about it, why would a theif leave a red flag 'hey guys, I'm going to come a steal this animal so wait for me and you'll catch me!'. If someone wanted to steal a dog they wouldn't take the time and risk of shaving a it first, they'd just note where the dog is and come back, or take it there and then.

It sounds more likely to be a rub or something.

For the time being id keep the dog in the house never heard of someone going to the trouble of shaving a dog to steal. Your dog will likely itch this as it looks a bit red . If this isnt an area the dog can lick id wash the area with warm salt water and apply savlon to stop the itch.

It's his neck and he's not touched it so far. Vet is seeing him at 4.10 so hopefully I'll get some idea what it is then.

Let us know how u get om

Vet says he has definitely been shaved. I feel a little better knowing I'm not crazy, but now even more worried as to why someone would do such a thing. Vet also agreed that it will have taken at least two people to do it as there's no ways he would have sat still and let one person do it.

The poor thing, what is the world coming to that people shave a dog. Sick.

Thats shocking

I guess I should be 'grateful' that it was only shaving him that they did! As we already know he is a big softy and they could have done so much worse to him.

That means they carried an electric shaver around with them. Who would do that? Are they mad? Maybe it's these guys who've upped their game - http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/fur-thief-stealing-shaving-cats-3688528

My goodness, that's truly odd. It still doesn't make sense that they'd shave as a means of marking to steal as it would take much longer to do that then just take him. Have you asked around to see if anyone else has had any weird things with their dogs?

ive looked at the pic again and they definitely used some type of razor on your poor dog. i would ask about as liz says

I am assuming it was maybe some bored kids and not someone marking to steal but I know I won't ever know until someone goes through the same and either has nothing else happen or later gets their dog taken. The neighbour I spoke to last night has dogs and nothing has happened to them, I've also put it on Facebook and nobody in my area has replied to say this has also happened to their dog.

very strange .

Oh my gosh, this has shocked me! Too think that someone you don't know has had their hands on your dog! I would make this as public as you can, id even go to the papers! Make everyone aware!

What part of England are you from if you don't mind me asking?

I'm in North wales

ninz wrote:I'm in North wales

Maybe a short-sighted farmer thought he was a sheep..?

This is totally bizarre! I heard a while back about cats that were having their bellies shaved while out and about but why the hell would you go into someones garden to shave a dog?

It doesn't sound like it's particularly easy to get into your garden if you have to go over a wall via your neighbours garden? Do any neighbours have kids who might've thought it funny?

I honestly don't know but would like to think that's all it is..the problem I've got now is it has had an effect on him. He will not have anyone apart fro, me and the kids behind him. Even with the vet he had to be in his line of sight and he did actually give a warning snap when the vet went to touch him while stood just behind his head. He also won't have anyone behind him on walks, so if we are out and he knows someone is behind us he turns to face them and watches them til they've passed. So I'm now trying to find a local trainer who does 1-1 sessions who can help build up his trust with strangers behind him. I could ask friends but would prefer it to be someone who can read his body language so we can avoid any nasty incidents hopefully.

Poor boy! What a stupid and strange thing to do. Some people really are idiots. I hope he recovers his confidence and trust.