Dog may have been stolen. What to do? Update p.2 - We Found Him!

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Yesterday my sister came home from work to find her 1 1/2 year old Shar Pei missing. She had just moved him into her new home 5 days ago, in a new home development, all the way across the country from where they previously lived. A construction worker from next door seemed to be saying that he saw a man carry a dog from her yard and put it into a white van. His English wasn't too good but the dog trainer who was coming by every day also has a white van. She has a fenced backyard and there wasn't any sign of a struggle or footprints in the back. Anyway, to make this long story a little shorter - I'm surprised someone this dog didn't know could just pick up a 60 lb dog and carry him away - so I'm not sure I think he was stolen. So - is dog theft a common thing? First case I'd heard, they seem to escape more. And would you have any suggestions on what to do? She contacted the police, searched around the neighborhood and is going to do some flyers. I feel so bad. This dog was her "baby"

Thanks.

 

[JoNo]

Check all the animal shelters too. Did it have a chip inside? If so, it'll be found the first time it goes to a vet. I'm sorry to hear about that, makes me mad that people can't get their own animals! As if there aren't enough to go around!

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

She's going to call animal control and shelters today. Last night by the time she got home everything was closed. It makes me mad too. I'm just still amazed that someone would take a big, aggressive to strangers type dog. It would seem more trouble than it's worth. It also seems like someone would've hardly had time to know he was there and when she wasn't. It was only her 2nd day of work there. I don't know. I hope he just got out somehow and she's able to locate him.

He didn't have a chip unfortunately. I'm sure he's going to get one if she gets him back.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Desnik]

I hope she finds her dog. Sorry to hear about this. What kind of a person steals a dog!!!
Has she contacted the trainer? I would put flyers up everywhere. Contact all the shelters and vets in the area.
My doggie has the micro chip. Just incase she ever got lost or stolen. I would definately tell your sister to get it for her dog, if she gets it back.
Keep us posted on what happens.

 

[chager]

We used to live in a neighborhood where dog theft was common, especially with pure breds. We had a Husky and I found him a new home partly because I was afraid he would go missing. We also had kids in the area that liked to open the gate, let the dogs out, and then close the gates.
I'm not sure I would want to even attempt to go in a yard with a Shar Pei let alone try to take one I'd be afraid it would eat me as a snack!!
I do pray she gets him back safe and soon. It's aweful not knowing where your furbaby is

 

[poohandwendy]

Wow, that is a shame! How sad. Is it possible he jumped the fence? I know it doesn't seem likely, but a dog in new surroundings and possibly freaked out, can perform amazing stunts.

I think she is doing all that she possibly can. I would also suggest she put out a dog dish with food and an article of clothing, that has her scent on it, by her front door. Maybe that wouldn't work, but I think it would be worth a try. (if he is lost, which he may not be)

As far as somene stealing a dog? Yes, it does happen, unfortunately. I hope that is not the case!

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thanks for the ideas Desnik - I will pass them on. I know - it's pretty low to steal someone's pet - they are like a family member. It breaks my heart to know HER heart is broken over it.

The trainer's office was closed last night too so she'll call him today. We wanted to know what time he came over and if he saw the dog - I would've thought if it was missing he would've called my sis but who knows? Also she needs to ask if the trainer had "Snickers" out by his van for some reason. I mean the construction worker might have misunderstood what was going on there . . .

I'll add an update to the post if we find out anything. I know "pixie dust" posts aren't always so popular but I'm looking for some, or a little prayer, sis gets her pet back.

Thanks again.

 

[jacksonsmom]

How terrible!
That kind of things make me so MAD!!!!!
Why do people do that???

I am praying your sister finds her little furbaby

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thanks for the good thoughts and prayers everyone. That's a great idea to put things out for him to smell. She's left the gate open today so if he does make it back, he can get into his yard. She said in Phoenix, where she used to live, a neighbor left her gate open a couple of times and the dog didn't leave the yard but perhaps being in a new place he is a little freaked out, I suppose he might even be able to jump the fence.

The police asked for the phone numbers of all the workers who'd been around her house (movers, trainer, guys who delivered a new frig) - I hope they follow up on it. The police did say they had never had a dog reported stolen before - it's a really nice neighboorhood in a small town about 15 miles out from a large city. I'm just going to keep hoping he shows up somewhere.

 

[Lewski709]

We had our English Bullie stolen from our yard, while we were outside. Never saw him get taken, he was a pup. DH and DS went out looking and found him with some kids BLOCKS away at a park. My DH was soooooooooo angry. We were lucky to get him back. Pure breeds are common to be stolen. My Bullie is 60lbs and I can pick him up and carry him, so I imagine a man would have a much easier time.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

I'm so glad you got your dog back. I still just can't imagine anyone stealing a pet or intentionally letting them out of a yard. There are some crazy people out there. If she gets him back I guess she'll need to put a lock on that gate too. She'd barely gotten into this house and I guess it didn't occur to her to have to keep the backyard locked up.

 

[Serena]

I'm so sorry. I hope she gets it back soon.


One suggestion is to put an ad in the newspaper. We had a dog stolen once before. Once we put an ad in the paper and put REWARD with it, then we got the call that someone had found her.
We did get her back, thankfully.

If she does get a call, make sure she has a man with her. You never know what kind of people she would be dealing with and that would help.

 

[Keli]

I know owners of particularly beautiful goldens have to be careful. Especially breeders because people come to their place looking at the pups and decide they really like the sire or the dam.
We've been looking at breeders ourselves because we want to buy a show quality golden soon because Ashli would like to start a breeding program (a good hobby for a pre-vet major I guess). Security is an issue for most breeders.

 

[JoNo]

Here's some pixiedust for ya *throws a big ol' bag of pixiedust in the air*

Our dog was skiddish when we moved too. When we first got her, we lived in a tiny 2/1, but about 1 month after, we moved in a spacious 3/2 with a big yard and the first couple times I took her with me to the house she was spooked and just kept by the front door until we went home. She knew her new home was there though when I brought her crate & toys & blankets over.

 

[grinningghost]

How sad. I do hope the doggie gets back home.

 

[Rajah]

Sending some P&PD to help y'all find her dog. Please keep us posted.

 

[MosMom]

If the dog trainer wasn't a stranger then the dog wouldn't be agressive. Some people take "saving" dogs into their own hands and since the dog was outside did the dog trainer feel he/she was being mistreated? (Not saying the dog was by any means) Did the trainer ever say anything negative about keeping the Shar-Pei outside?

 

[luvwinnie]

I pray he gets home safely. This is why we don't leave our English bulldog in the yard alone for long. It is so sad, but you have to worry about these things.

 

[stamper]

Hoping and praying for a happy ending!!

Has your sister asked the neighbors...other than the construction worker with bad English? If there is a local radio station that does "lost and found announcements", she could have them mention her dog (we have one here that does this). Post flyers by schools....most dogs love kids and he may be drawn to a school yard. Also near parks.

Unfortuanely, dog theft is a big issue with purebreds. As Keli said, breeders really have to be careful. I would for sure as this trainer what he saw and if he had the dog out by the van. Sure hoping he wasn't involved!

Will be waiting for updates. If there isn't any good news by tonight and you'd like a "lost dog" announcement posted on a HUGE show dog site, let me know and I can post it there. PM me with info on where, when etc (there are announcements on there all the time....usually show dog, but I don't think it matters really).

If she gets him back, please stress to her that he REALLY needs a microchip and leaving your dog outside when no one is home isn't a good idea. Not only can theft occur, but there are some sick people who would gladly throw meat with poison over the fence....or the dog can just plain get out. I'd leave him in and have a dog walker go over everyday so he can get out for a bit.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thanks for the prayers and PD.

I've emailed my sister but haven't heard back from her today. I hope she's out looking for her dog, doing flyers, that kind of thing. She had told me she had to go to work today, but since she's not answering her email - I hope she got some time off.

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I'm going to give it all to her. She will offer a reward and do the ads and all. He is a purebred but I think he's "fixed". I'll have to ask her about that. In that case he wouldn't do someone who wanted to breed any good . . .

I don't think the trainer had any negative feelings about the dog. In fact the reason she got this guy over so fast was to help the dog learn to stay in the yard etc. The dog had everything he needed so I don't think anyone would think it was mistreated. I'm really afraid someone just wanted a Shar-pei, or thought they could sell him. I guess we were too naive about thinking no one would bother him. It just makes me sick. The dog walker thing is such a good idea. I wish we'd thought of that before this happened.

stamper, I appreciate your offer. If we don't get any news soon I'll send you a pm about that announcement.

Thanks again for the support everyone.