Dog thefts are on the rise in Illinois, and it’s baffling why anyone would do something so heartless. Recent statistics show a troubling increase in these crimes across the state.
If you’ve been following the news, you might have noticed several dognapping cases in Illinois. For instance, there was an armed robbery in Chicago where a dog was stolen, and a similar case happened in Joliet a few months ago. Even dogs being cared for in foster homes from shelters are not safe from these thieves.
In Adams County, there has been a noticeable uptick in reports of lost animals, frequently shared on our Facebook page. These are often dogs that usually wouldn’t wander far from home, now suddenly missing. It’s alarming and sad.
According to Dogster, around 2 million dogs are stolen each year, a truly heartbreaking statistic. A new study from Study Finds reveals that dognapping is becoming more prevalent, with popular breeds being targeted and sold for thousands of dollars. If you own a French Bulldog or a Yorkshire Terrier, you’re at a higher risk. The American Kennel Club highlights these breeds as particularly vulnerable to theft.
The situation worsens as the website Paws explains that some stolen pets in Illinois are being sold to puppy mills for breeding purposes. Many others are used as “bait dogs” to train fighting dogs, which is appalling. There are also “class B dealers” who sell these dogs to research institutions for testing.
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To protect your pet from being stolen, Paws offers several recommendations. First, don’t let your dog roam the neighborhood unsupervised. It’s safer to keep pets indoors when you’re not home. If you need to give up your pet, ensure the new home has proper references. You could inadvertently be handing over a loving animal to someone with harmful intentions.
