Thefts of dogs and puppies are increasing in France.
These are mainly purebred canines, very often sold illegally or used for breeding.
To protect themselves, Centrale Canine reminds owners of some tips and recommendations.
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Pets
“Man’s best friend” is the object of growing desire. In France, dog or puppy thefts have been on the rise in recent years. The result is ever more daring methods of theft: some go so far as to cut leashes in the street, enter gardens or burglarize houses, or even use “contracts” on dogs identified in advance. Declared flights thus increased from 378 in 2021 to 459 in 2022, a jump of 21%, and all of France is concerned.
Breeds more targeted than others
Why this resurgence? According to the SNPCC (National Union of Dog and Cat Professions), the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated this problem, particularly after the first confinement, when adoptions of dogs and cats increased by 10 to 15%. And then there is also the resale value of dogs which creates a juicy market. Certain breeds are particularly popular on the black market, especially the Pomeranian Loulou (German Dwarf Spitz) which sells for between 3,800 and 6,500 euros, the American Bully: between 1,000 and 15,000 euros, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Staffie): between 800 and 2000 euros, the Chihuahua: between 1500 and 2500 euros, or even the French bulldog: between 1000 and 1500 euros.
How to protect your dog against theft?
A few good reflexes to adopt can help protect yourself from this traumatic experience, reminds the Canine Centrale. She recommends having your dog identified by electronic chip or tattoo with I-CAD, and remembering to update your contact details in the event of moving, changing your mobile number, etc. Furthermore, you should never leave your dog unsupervised (in front of a business, on a terrace, in your vehicle) even in the garden.
When walking, it is best to use a leash or lanyard so you never lose sight of him, or even a mesh leash that is more difficult to cut. And for kennel owners, it is imperative to install a camera above the puppies' box when they are outside.
Finally, it is recommended not to buy animals on the Internet from an individual. Since stolen dogs and puppies are most of the time resold online, you risk fueling trafficking without knowing it. In addition, the sale of pets on the Internet is prohibited to individuals; to do so, you must have breeder status.
What to do if your dog has been stolen?
In the event of theft, you must immediately go to the nearest gendarmerie or police station to report it and file a complaint (only the dog owner can file a complaint for the theft of their animal) and notify the I-CAD services. so that the information is recorded in the national identification file. The Canine Center also advises spreading the announcement of its kidnapping on social networks regularly and as widely as possible and contacting veterinarians, pounds and SPAs in the region to warn them of the theft of the dog. It is also possible to call on associations such as Stolen Animal Alert, Pet Alert or the Animal Protection Brigade.
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