Obsessing over dog thefts

sheramber

Be aware that a loud noise, especially like a gun shot, can scare your dog. Look at how many dogs are lost by bolting when fireworks go off. One of my dogs was terrified of the sound of an aerosol and would run when he heard one.

ChrisSURE24

sheramber said:

Be aware that a loud noise, especially like a gun shot, can scare your dog. Look at how many dogs are lost by bolting when fireworks go off. One of my dogs was terrified of the sound of an aerosol and would run when he heard one.

Completely understand that @sheramber , the problem we have in today's world is that if your dog is on the lead and you're being attacked then your life comes first. These aren't specific to dog walking but it helps for me and my wife to feel safer. I personally feel scared when my wife goes for a walk at night on her own and just knowing she has that protection eases that stress a little. When we walk at night our dog stays on the lead so it just means she won't run off but the attacker might. It's sad though isn't it that we have come to this

squirrelchops2

Things I have done differently include not walking the streets at night anymore. Not walking at the same time very day - I still see people at exactly the same time 7 days a week come past our house with their dogs. I am not worried out walking on the coastal path where I live as if someone wants to nick my dog they would have a very long way to get back to a road and their car to take him - much more likely to happen on a quiet country road via vehicle.  If I am on the streets walking I keep the dog between me and the hedge, not having him on the road side. I am just much more vigilant about keeping him in sight if off lead - before I would happily let him lag behind me sniffing and he would run to catch up but now I like to keep him much closer.
If I am on my own I take a whistle and a red spray aerosol. My partner bought me a rape alarm but I am concerned it might frighten the dog and we would lose him by running off.
From what I have read it doesn't seem to matter what type of dog you have - we have quite a distinctive looking small dog who is very desirable and in normal circumstances he attracts attention everywhere we go! However from what I am reading thefts of any dog are happening, old, castrated etc so all we can do is keep ourselves as safe as we can.

chubsta

a neighbour had a couple of travellers try to steal her greyhound a week or so back - we know they are travellers because there was a large group of them on public land nearby. Fortunately she managed to fight them off and get home - when she reported it to the police she was told they would probably move on in a couple of weeks and not to walk her dog outdoors until then. I am not surprised there are so many dog thefts if that is the police response to it...

sheramber

What do you expect the police to do unless she has proof of the  persons  involved?