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How To Keep Your Dog Safe From Theft


It’s the last thing you’d ever want to think about as an owner and animal lover, but statistics show that dog theft is on the rise. The American Kennel Club has been tracking instances of dog theft from their National Pet Theft Database, and found a 31% increase in ‘dognapping’ cases in recent years. This means as owners, it’s worth thinking about how we can prevent raising these numbers any higher, and keep our beloved pets safe.


This guide will discuss strategies on how to prevent dog theft, to keep your furry loved where they belong. 

Which dogs are most at risk from theft?


Before addressing some useful general guidelines for dog protection, it’s worth noting that some breeds are more at risk than others. 


The breeds most commonly targeted by thieves are usually those with the highest value at the time. For example, recently Lady Gaga’s French Bulldogs were the target of dognappers, with a similar story for many bulldogs across the country. With a price range of anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000, the majority of recent thefts often involve these smaller purebred dogs that are easy to carry. 


If you have any kind of expensive, rare, or pure breed dog, then it might well be worth taking extra precautions to keep them super safe. 



Which dogs are most at risk from theft?


Before addressing some useful general guidelines for dog protection, it’s worth noting that some breeds are more at risk than others. 


The breeds most commonly targeted by thieves are usually those with the highest value at the time. For example, recently Lady Gaga’s French Bulldogs were the target of dognappers, with a similar story for many bulldogs across the country. With a price range of anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000, the majority of recent thefts often involve these smaller purebred dogs that are easy to carry. 


If you have any kind of expensive, rare, or pure breed dog, then it might well be worth taking extra precautions to keep them super safe. 

Dog theft prevention tips: 


  • Secure - Keep an eye on your dog when it’s in the yard, especially ones that may be open to the public, or visible from the street. Make sure fences and gates are secure too. 
  • Stores - If you can, don’t leave your dog tied up or alone in the car when you go into a store, as reports of these kinds of opportunist thefts are growing.
  • Photos - Ensure you have a range of photos of your dog, from different angles and with any signature markings visible. These could be super helpful to help find and identify your dog.

  • Strangers - If you are asked questions about your dog’s price, breed or anything that feels suspicious, they could be determining your dog’s value. Although other owners tend to be friendly and ask about your pet, if you feel uncomfortable about the kind of questions someone is asking, you can always give inaccurate information. Saying your dog is a mixed breed, spayed or older than they are can help to keep them safe, without upsetting anyone who is simply a dog lover. 
  • Microchip - Make sure your pet is microchipped. This makes your pet easier to identify if they are found. 
  • Daycare - Be discerning about who you hire to look after your dog. Ask for recommendations, credentials and speak to other customers if you can, to verify their safety and reliability.  
  • Visibility - If you are walking at night, make sure your dog is wearing a reflective. The TrueHarness has reflective strips built into the design, meaning you can always keep an eye on where your dog is, ad call them back to you if needed.
  • Home Alone - Keep your pet indoors when you are not at home, and think about closing curtains or blinds to reduce their visibility. If your dog is visible, it could trigger a theft.


  • Strangers - If you are asked questions about your dog’s price, breed or anything that feels suspicious, they could be determining your dog’s value. Although other owners tend to be friendly and ask about your pet, if you feel uncomfortable about the kind of questions someone is asking, you can always give inaccurate information. Saying your dog is a mixed breed, spayed or older than they are can help to keep them safe, without upsetting anyone who is simply a dog lover. 
  • Microchip - Make sure your pet is microchipped. This makes your pet easier to identify if they are found. 
  • Daycare - Be discerning about who you hire to look after your dog. Ask for recommendations, credentials and speak to other customers if you can, to verify their safety and reliability.  
  • Visibility - If you are walking at night, make sure your dog is wearing a reflective. The TrueHarness has reflective strips built into the design, meaning you can always keep an eye on where your dog is, ad call them back to you if needed.
  • Home Alone - Keep your pet indoors when you are not at home, and think about closing curtains or blinds to reduce their visibility. If your dog is visible, it could trigger a theft.

  • Pet Insurance - Check if your policy will offer lost or stolen cover. This could mean they will pay for the cost of advertising and flyers, and a reward sum too.
  • Dog Theft Prevention Device - Some products are now available, such as alarms and whistles or dye canisters that can help deter possible thefts. Other owners may choose to invest in a dog collar with GPS tracking.

What to do if someone steals your dog?


If the worst happens, there are a few things you can do to take steps to recover your dog. 


  1. Report the crime to your local authorities. 
  2. Contact your local animal warden and any nearby rescue centres, some dogs are ‘dumped’ and may end up here.
  3. Contact your insurance provider, who may be able to offer advice and a reward sum. 
  4. Make a poster with your pet’s name, colour, and any significant markings. Include the location where your pet was last seen and a contact number.
  5. Monitor pets for sale posts online, checking carefully for descriptions that match your animal. This is where often where pet thieves are looking to profit.
  6. Use social media, post pictures of your pet on social networks - many dogs have been reunited with their owners through this method. Your pet may end up with caring people who see your post and realize they are in possession of a stolen pet.


What to do if someone steals your dog?


If the worst happens, there are a few things you can do to take steps to recover your dog. 


  1. Report the crime to your local authorities. 
  2. Contact your local animal warden and any nearby rescue centres, some dogs are ‘dumped’ and may end up here.
  3. Contact your insurance provider, who may be able to offer advice and a reward sum. 
  4. Make a poster with your pet’s name, colour, and any significant markings. Include the location where your pet was last seen and a contact number.
  5. Monitor pets for sale posts online, checking carefully for descriptions that match your animal. This is where often where pet thieves are looking to profit.
  6. Use social media, post pictures of your pet on social networks - many dogs have been reunited with their owners through this method. Your pet may end up with caring people who see your post and realize they are in possession of a stolen pet.

Whilst it’s an emotional subject, and tough to think about, ensuring you take those extra steps to keep your dog safe might make all the difference.


So share this article with your fellow owners, it might just help them add in an extra precaution or two.