lost and stolen pups

[Flakes]

Many dog owners install doggie doors and/or let their pets out in the yard alone. Years ago this was probably a reasonably safe practice, it is no longer. Not only are many pets stolen for the purposes of resale (fast money) but many are stolen for sale to research labs, dog fighting rings, etc.

Personally I think doggie doors should be taken off the market. They provide a false sense of security as do fenced yards. Fenced yards are helpful in keeping your pet contained but they should never be allowed out without an adult present.

I know it creates more work for owners to have to be out in the yard with their pets but it really is the only safe method. Even then I've had people try and steal one of my yorkies. Beware, these thieves sometimes work in pairs. One will engage you in conversation while the other grabs your pet and hightails it. They usually have a vehicle parked close by but have been known to use bikes if they are after small animals.

For those of you who have had pets stolen do not forget to canvass any and all bars in your area, sometimes they will attempt to sell the dog in a bar. Also keep watch on any high traffic shopping areas as this is another place they will try and sell them quickly. Drug addicts who steal dogs are looking for fast money, they really don't care if all they get is $20.00 for a purebred dog.

For those of you in cities that have subways, rapid transit systems, be sure to canvass those places as well.

[chachi]

Thanks for the info! I dont have a doggie door but I still worry about my yorkies being stolen from my yard. These stories of yorkies being stolen from their own yard is alarming.

[velobabe]

Thanks for the heads up!! I too probably would feel better knowing where my babies are despite the presence of a fence but I can understand the false sense of security it brings. Nothing easier than opening the door in the morning and letting them out while your getting ready for your day. I'll have to make the hubby aware of the possible dangers of leaving our dogs in the yard without one of us being present. I hate that people would do such a horrible thing but it's nice to be made aware. Thanks again!!

[Latuya]

very good thead! I have to add, most of our yorkies are tiny little guys. You never know what dangers are out there. When a German Shepherd got ahold of Gus we were right there. Accidents will and do happen. It would have happened anyway, but with us out there we were able to get the dog to let go and it saved Gus's life. The squeezing of the one bite did damage and there for a while we didn't he would even pull through that. If we were not there I know Gus would not be here today do to the fast reaction of my daughter for clapping her hands that made the dog drop Gus, for my son who picked up a rake so that the dog didn't go after my daughter while or after she picked him up and brought him inside and to my wonderful husband who got him to the vet in record time. It really is not safe for our little ones to be out unattended.

[StewiesMom]

I agree. Stewie is almost never outside alone. The exception would be if I had to run in to grab the phone or something to bring it back outside. Very important stuff!

[Joy]

Thanks for the information. We can never be to safe in this day and age. I watch my Yorkies like I watch my kids.

[babi1542]

Thanks for the information! This is very important in the day and age that we are living in.

[Passionfruition]

My uncle Terry has had many yorkies over the past 20 years - and is the only other yorkie owner in the family.

When my hubby and I got a yorkie, my uncle (retired air force) sternly warned me of this very thing.

He said that no matter what the age of your dog, those people are out there. Even in his neighborhood, there have been little dogs stolen. He, as you could have guessed, is very strict and careful with his current yorkie, Didas, who is 7yrs old now.

His warning scared the CRAP out of me when Sully was a puppy and so I have been very VERY overprotective and careful when Sully is not inside our house! I even lock our house when we run to the grocery store, etc.

[LIL MIS' MAGIC]

Thank you for the warning...we are about to put in a doggie door but it will only be used when we are at the house, never when they are by themselves...we have been just leaving the door open while we watch them so they can go in and out but there are too many bugs in the house now, so its time for a doggie door...but we plan on using VERY careful with it!!

[Flakes]

The one thing I forgot to mention (for those who have tiny dogs and are using doggie doors) is that if an eagle, raven, crow, seagull swoops down to grab your baby you will not have time to run outside to save it. I live on Vancouver Island beside a harbor and I can't tell you how many times birds have attempted to take one of my little guys. I don't even allow them out on the enclosed patio deck alone for fear they'll become the raven's next meal. I came very close to losing my little maltese a few years back when an eagle swooped down for him, and I was in the yard with them. The seagulls will park themselves on the patio railing and wait in hopes they'll be out soon.

[cosmoismyman]

I will not install a doggie door because I am so afraid a hawk coming down and picking him up (I have heard of this happening)or a blue jay coming down to attack (which my cosmo had a close encounter with already)

[suzysmitt]

I don't have doggie doors either. It makes me nervous thinking if my babies can go out and in what else might go in and out.

[Esme's Mommy]

Originally Posted by Passionfruition

His warning scared the CRAP out of me when Sully was a puppy and so I have been very VERY overprotective and careful when Sully is not inside our house! I even lock our house when we run to the grocery store, etc.

I am super paranoid with Esme. She has NEVER been outside without me, not once, ever. We have a fenced in yard, and I still don't let her out there alone. So many things can happen to a dog outside. It can be stolen, someone can throw something dangerous in your yard, another animal could come in and hurt it... Everyone always makes fun of me, but I can't help it. My husbands cousins yorkie was stolen out of their yard fenced in yard back in March. She was supposedly only outside alone for a second.

Val, I think it's funny that you wrote you even lock your house when you run out the grocery store. It's amazing how different things are in different parts of the country! My door is ALWAYS locked, whether I am home or not! If I walk outside, I lock it behind me. I could be outside on the sidewalk talking to my neighbor, and my front door is locked.

[3puppies4me]

I never go out without my little ones, but I do have a doggie door installed. It leads into the garage where I keep their pee pads. (I love having my bathroom back!). And I have heard terrible stories about predatory birds, so mine are never off leash, either. We have hawks not too far away in the trees, and at night, owls. Terrifies me what might happen to my innocent little pups.

[Maddie-Rudy-Mom]

Great thread, a lot good info that will help keep our furbabies save. Thanks