I think someone tried to steal my dog on Sunday.

I think someone tried to steal my dog on Sunday. My wife and I went over to my daughter's house to babysit from about 1400 to 1930. It was a nice day, so we left him outside. She left about 20 minutes before I left at 2000. When I got home, she asked me if I tied a rope around the dog's collar, which I of course did not.

Apparently, he had about a foot and a half of rope with a loop in one end, and the collar passed through the loop, like a short leash. He is much less skittish than he was when we got him a year ago, and is pretty friendly if he is not protecting one of us. I figure they coaxed him to the wrought iron fence and got the rope on him, but could not get him over the fence. Did not see any fingers or blood out there either.

I can't think of any other reason why someone would put a rope on him, unless it is to lead him off. He is a beauty, and has as sweet a disposition as any dog I ever had, so I could see someone wanting to take him. Guess he does not get to stay out when we are not home anymore. I think maybe some cameras, in case the taking the dog was a prelude to breaking into the house.

He looks like this.

Well, not just like that, that is from when we first got him. The hair on his flanks and back is all brown now, and is not falling out anymore, and he is about 15 pounds heavier. He looks more like this now.

Back in 2009 my dog was stolen. Punk kid cruising the neighborhood looking for targets of opportunity spotted my half grown puppy Olde English Bulldog and took her. He gave her to his girlfriend. Two weeks later the GFs parents saw our "lost dog" ad in the paper and we got her back in exchange for not pressing charges against the little E36 M3.

Thieves really need castration to cull the gene pool.

Sad, but I suspect your assessment is correct. Glad they were not successful.

As a pit mix, could he be more desirable because of his coloration?

I highly doubt anybody tried to take him. Maybe to get him back in the yard.

The usually steal pure breed breeds and designer poodle mixes. Its a harsh thing to say but if you want a pit mix you can get one for 5$ down at the animal shelter.

wearymicrobe wrote: I highly doubt anybody tried to take him. Maybe to get him back in the yard. The usually steal pure breed breeds and designer poodle mixes. Its a harsh thing to say but if you want a pit mix you can get one for 5$ down at the animal shelter.

Sorry man but no. Lots of dogs are stolen for fighting purposes. Either as fighters (pits and the like) or bait dogs (smaller, decorative breeds). It's a creepy fact that so many people get off on such behavior.

KyAllroad wrote:

wearymicrobe wrote: I highly doubt anybody tried to take him. Maybe to get him back in the yard. The usually steal pure breed breeds and designer poodle mixes. Its a harsh thing to say but if you want a pit mix you can get one for 5$ down at the animal shelter.

Sorry man but no. Lots of dogs are stolen for fighting purposes. Either as fighters (pits and the like) or bait dogs (smaller, decorative breeds). It's a creepy fact that so many people get off on such behavior.

Yep that's the same conclusion I came to. OP do you have any neighbors that might be into dog fighting?

My Dalmation was stolen. I called the cops, then the local TV news people to see if they heard of anything. They sent a reporter and camera guy out, after three days on the 6 & 11 o'clock news, they tossed the dog out of a moving van at the top of the street.

State cops came by and explained that someone was taking "purebred looking" dogs; my dalmation, shelties, shepards etc; sell them for $50 without papers.

Toby was picked up by a group that lives on a dead end road separated from society since the 1930s, cops won't go there at night, they don't go alone, they don't use marked vehicles and go in heavy.

Great. If your dog doesn't have a chip, get one. If the thief takes it to a vet for shots, stitches, anything, it lights up the computer.

Call the cops just so they know there's someone out there building a kennel.

Good luck, Dan

914Driver said: Toby was picked up by a group that lives on a dead end road separated from society since the 1930s, cops won't go there at night, they don't go alone, they don't use marked vehicles and go in heavy.

Irish travelers?

I would think someone was trying to get him out of the way prior to a burglary.

pheller wrote: As a pit mix, could he be more desirable because of his coloration?

Yes, he is beautiful. Perfect markings, 4 white socks and white on the tip of his tail. I could not tell you have many people have told me so in the year we have had him.

Had someone casing the house a few weeks ago, have pictures of the guys car and reported it to the cops already. The idea that someone was trying to get him out of the way first also occurred to me. No way this shakes out as something innocuous. Might need to update that report I made last month.

HappyAndy wrote:

914Driver said: Toby was picked up by a group that lives on a dead end road separated from society since the 1930s, cops won't go there at night, they don't go alone, they don't use marked vehicles and go in heavy.

Irish travelers?

Bloody Pikeys. They like dags.

When I was a kid, someone tried stealing our miniature toy poodle named Pierre while we were playing outside with him. We caught them in the act, and they took off. That dog was a royal PITA to me, but I was glad to see him back after that.

People are terrible. People that steal dogs, for whatever reason, are pure scum. Glad you got your dog back. Dogs are way better than people.

Huckleberry wrote:

HappyAndy wrote:

914Driver said: Toby was picked up by a group that lives on a dead end road separated from society since the 1930s, cops won't go there at night, they don't go alone, they don't use marked vehicles and go in heavy.

Irish travelers?

Bloody Pikeys. They like dags.

They also like stealin' stuff, in fact anything worth a shilling that isn't nailed down, or so I've heard......from a relative that is a state LEO.

We have three dogs. They are never outside alone. If anybody tried to take one, the pure bred boxer, alpha female, would react, violently. I also would react the same way. Cameras? PM me, that's what I do.

HappyAndy wrote:

Huckleberry wrote:

HappyAndy wrote:

914Driver said: Toby was picked up by a group that lives on a dead end road separated from society since the 1930s, cops won't go there at night, they don't go alone, they don't use marked vehicles and go in heavy.

Irish travelers?

Bloody Pikeys. They like dags.

They also like stealin' stuff, in fact anything worth a shilling that isn't nailed down, or so I've heard......from a relative that is a state LEO.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/dQSnua3M2lo

It really sounds like you are being targeted. I would post the pic of the crown vic on your front door and a note that says something along the lines of "the cops have your info already." I would definitely consult with all neighbors, and make sure they all have the pic of the car, case # and detective's name if one is assigned to your "case."

cwh wrote: We have three dogs. They are never outside alone. If anybody tried to take one, the pure bred boxer, alpha female, would react, violently. I also would react the same way. Cameras? PM me, that's what I do.

Both of my labs would come home with parting gifts if someone tried something funny (like this). between CWH and I, I think we've got you covered. PM/email whoever. We'll get you sorted.

Dog theft for fighting is pretty common. There was a group in our part of Sydney that had a couple of kids on pushbikes scoping out for bigger dogs and leaving marker tags so the guys with the vans knew where to hit. Usually just a coloured band or tag attached to a tree, mailbox or gate, something that was fairly small, but obvious to those who knew what to look for. Shelters aren't an easy source of dogs around here, to much cost and hassles for would-be Dog fighters, photo id is a minimum to adopt a dog.

Kids on bikes nosing around doesn't attract much attention, guys in unmarked vans cruising streets slowly and frequently stopping to look into yards gets cops called fast.

In your case with the crown Vic guy, you're either someone they want to break into, or they really, really want your dog. Given that the dog is still there, I unfortunately think it's the former.

Someone took my dog when i was younger. Gorgeous shepherd mix. His brother was sick so he was hiding behind the house. They were so good they were untied and outside 24/7. The one they didnt get later got the boot of someone who wasn't supposed to be there during the day. Neighbor heard it and saw a van leaving, when we got home he was chilling on the porch with his new boot.

Check the local restaurants...any serving exotic dishes, or really cheap meat?

Many times, dog thefts are tied to dog fighting rings. The stolen dogs are used for fighting and\or training the fighting dogs. Pretty much sucks to think that this goes on, but it is more common than folks think.

Toebra wrote:

pheller wrote: As a pit mix, could he be more desirable because of his coloration?

Yes, he is beautiful. Perfect markings, 4 white socks and white on the tip of his tail. I could not tell you have many people have told me so in the year we have had him. Had someone casing the house a few weeks ago, have pictures of the guys car and reported it to the cops already. The idea that someone was trying to get him out of the way first also occurred to me. No way this shakes out as something innocuous. Might need to update that report I made last month.

Was your dog outside when you took the pics of the car? If so, I'm thinking they're interested in your dog. If not, then it's your house/belongings.

I think you need to get some of these and put them around the house.

When I worked in the hardware store we had one security camera and a shoplifting problem. Talked the owner into buying 6 of these fake cameras and mounting them around the store coupled with a few warning signs. End of shoplifting problem for less than $150!

Wow, that is crazy! I am glad they didn't get your dog!