I was prompted to write this article after seeing a Tweet yesterday about two working Cocker Spaniels that had been stolen and someone replying to that Tweet about working dogs being at bigger risk. As the owner of a working breed, she's actually a failed gun dog so probably wouldn't be a target. I thought this warranted further investigation.
While looking on the Lost Doggies website http://www.lost-doggies.com/modules/myalbum/ the figures seemed to bear this out Border Collies 27, Labradors 35, Springer Spaniels 29, Cocker Spaniels 17, German Shepherds 24, where most other breeds were 0 or terriers that had taken off after something and having owned a Jack Russell with DNA shared with Houdini I can totally understand that 85 Jack Russells are AWOL.
On http://www.dogpages.org.uk/forums/ and http://www.petforums.co.uk/lost-found-dogs/ and http://www.doglost.co.uk the story is repeated, the striking thing is that most of these working dogs that disappear go straight after working or training, they are swiftly spirited away probably to order and by organised gangs. There are ways you can increase the chances of getting your dogs back.
- Get your dog microchipped, most vets and animal shelters routinely check for these now.
- Get your dog tattooed, the procedure is painless to your dog and relatively cheap to do.
- Make sure you dog has a tag, but don't include your dogs name, just your details.
- Take lots of photos of your dog, I saw one owner calling for the return of theirs along with an apology as the only photo they had was one of their dog pooping.
- Don't leave your dog unattended, dogs are quickly untied from outside shops, stolen from a garden or car.
- Alter the times and routes you take when going for walks, you never know who is watching you.
If your dog is stolen, inform the police as soon as possible, it is likely they have had similar reports recently and although they probably won't send out a search party any information provided may help them.
Use the internet to get pictures of your dog out there, the more people that see the pictures the more likely you are to have your dog safely returned to you.
Inform all the local rescue kennels and dog wardens too, you never know.
I want to finish this article with the story of the two working Cocker Spaniels that were solen recently and ask that if you see them or suspect you know where they are that you contact the police.
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These two beautiful Working Cocker Spaniels were stolen from their home on New Year's Eve in Claydon, North Bucks. The owner had just taken them for a walk, put them back in the kennel and gone into his house to make a cup of tea. Within a few minutes they had gone! Their markings are very distinctive, so they should be easily recognisable. Because of this, it is probable There is a large reward available for the safe return of the dogs. |
