Dog Thefts and other Scams

[Daisy]

Since the pandemic the price of dogs/puppies has gone through the roof. Low life criminals were quick to catch on and as a consequence dog thefts have increased by 250%. People have been attacked walking their dogs, organised gangs mark houses where there are dogs and then steal them from the garden, or even breaking into the house to grab them. Many people, especially women are too frightened to take their dogs out for essential walks unless they have someone to go with them. As for leaving your dog outside a shop ... Some breeds are more 'desirable' than others but that doesn't mean the others are safer - they get stolen for dog baiting.

But the latest one I've just read about is really sinister. Someone was selling a dog coat on FB Marketplace. She had a message asking if it was still available and could they have more photos. So she sent photos of the coat opened out, inside and out. The reply came back "I thought you had a dog". The original pictures had shown the seller's dog wearing the coat to show size etc. The next thing would be the buyer offering to collect the coat to save the seller posting it. The buyer would have had the address of a very sought after breed of dog!!

In a similar vein, another person was selling a sofa. The photo just happened to include the family's dog. The seller got a message asking about the dog, including was she ever off lead and what was her recall like!

[Oma]

Daisy they will go to any lengths , I worry when DD had Storm out as she is so tiny .

[Lizzie48]

I haven't heard of any dog thefts here, it is cycles and the money they are after here, oh, and car parts, I just read that the side mirrors off a Tesla are very popular at the moment.

[Gemini]

This is all appalling Daisy

I have seen a lot about dog theft on the news and social media.

[Daisy]

Oma - I'm not the nervous type, but I'm seriously thinking about getting one of those colour sprays. They are legal, unlike a lot of other self-defence items, but you would have to be able to get to it quickly if you were attacked or your dog grabbed. You can also get leads which can't be unclipped from the dog's collar or harness without knowing how to do it. Storm is very friendly, isn't he - like Eva. But he's a very handsome dog. I hope your DD walks in safe places with him.

I don't have a routine and walk in different places at different times of day, which is helpful, but one day last week mine was the only car in a small Forest car park, not easily visible from the road. It was late and nearly dark when we got back to the car. I put Eva in and turned round to see two very dodgy-looking men coming towards me. They just looked furtive, weren't dressed for walking and were whispering to each other. I jumped in the car and sped up enough for the car doors to lock automatically. They might well have been perfectly innocent, but they didn't look it, and I wasn't going stop and find out.

Lizzie - nothing's safe, is it, and I'm sure losing a good (or essential) bike is awful.

[Gemini]

Be careful out there Daisy (and Eva)

[Plantaholic]

That did sound very suspicious Daisy, I don't think you should be walking alone.

We have had some very scary moments people have had walking dogs alone in the woods so they find someone to walk with. there is one area near here but in another county (Brerks) where the Police have advised people not to walk in a particular area as there have been several reported incidents.

[Daisy]

Plant - that is dreadful - that the police are in effect saying 'we can't protect you, get a friend to do it'!

I nearly always walk alone and never felt in danger, even when it's dark. But since the lockdowns started the whole nature of the Forest seems to have changed. A lot of strangers about, who aren't holiday makers, and have no respect for the forest. It's very sad.

[Nanto2girls]

Daisy, take care when out with Eva please.

[Daisy]

Thank you, Nanto. I'm always watchful because Eva still gets over excited if she sees another dog, and she responds to the slightest sound she doesn't recognise. I've just walked her round the block because I needed to post a letter. On the way back, in a well-lit area someone over the road drew their curtains as we walked past and she marked it straight away!

[Plantaholic]

Females are involved too Daisy, do take care.

[Daisy]

Plant - that is worrying as well. Basically, I'm now suspicious of everyone who hasn't got a dog with them. I've also decided I should park so I don't have to reverse out of the space.

But it does all make you a bit jumpy. Last night at one point Eva kept glancing backwards. There was no-one there, and I think it was a cat or fox but it's not a nice feeling.

[Lizzie48]

Daisy, watch what you are doing when out with Eva, it is a strange situation to be in when you can't even walk your dog!!!

[Daisy]

Lizzie - thank you - I do try to be careful these days. At one time I would never have given anything like this a single thought. The only scary thing where we live used to be getting caught up in a group of stampeding horses!

[Daisy]

I've ordered some safety kit! Very loud whistles on a bright yellow lanyard, and a harmless but hard to remove red dye spray. I got a pack of whistles so I can give them to my two DILs as well.


I ordered from here - a not for profit campaign group

https://doghorn.uk/