Pleasing 4 Pets

National animal charity Dogs Lost has revealed that criminal gangs are becoming progressively more aggressive and are prepared to employ violent behaviour in order to steal high value pets.

The charity claims that there are a growing number of criminal organisations who are intent on intimidating and menacing pet owners with weapons such as knives and in some cases firearms to make off with rare pedigree or high-priced dogs. Over a one week period the charity confirmed that it had taken in excess of 100 calls from devastated dog owners claiming that their beloved pets had been stolen.

The Missing Pets Bureau also recently voiced its belief that at least one third of missing animals are actually the victims of pet theft rather being simply lost.

Both agencies believe that there are two basic categories of dog bandits - the skilled professionals that tour the UK in search of vocational canines such as Terriers, Lurchers and Labradors.

And secondly and perhaps more regrettably there is are a new breed of urban dog poachers, who more often than not steal pets in order to raise funds to feed drug habits. These are usually opportunist criminals who may for instance see a dog tied up outside a shop and will steal it and sell it at the earliest opportunity, often for a little as £20.

In other cases it is proving more apparent that thieves are becoming increasingly desperate for cash and have violently assaulted dog owners and even threatened them with knives in broad daylight and in public places.

Dog owners can limit the risks by refraining from leaving their pet tied up in a public place for any length of time and in the unfortunate case that their pet is taken, can improve their chances of recovering their treasured pet by ensuring their pet is identifiable by means of a microchip or other comparable device.