Stolen Yorkies Epedemic..

[Chelsey]

Good post!

[SevenGirl]

This is all so scary! We definitely need to keep a watchful eye over our babies!

[PennysMum]

I live in a part of Michigan that is made up of very small towns-- the sort of place where people leave their doors open and you can leave the keys in the ignition of your car when you go into the store without worrying. Even here, there's been a stolen yorkie I've heard-- really sad story too. She belonged to a man who was very sick and went away to a hospital in the nearest big city for a few hours for his treatments. When he came home, someone had broken into his home and taken his little dog. Reading the flyers his friends put up all over seriously made me want to cry.

It's so scary, but it is to be expected sadly when there are news stories everywhere talking about how Britney Spears or whomever paid $3000 for one of these dogs, and when pet stores sell them at outrageous prices like they do. People without scruples look at them and see easy money instead of the love of somebody's life. Every time I hear one of those news stories or see one of those websites with super-expensive dogs on it, I cringe, because they are really just fueling the epidemic. I've had people point at Penny and say "that's one of those dogs that cost thousands of dollars, right?" I always quickly jump in and say "no, I got her from a rescue"-- and I'd probably say that even if it wasn't true, just because I worry that somebody might come after her later.

I know someone who is a very serious breeder of another breed, and she won't ever tell anyone a price for any of her dogs unless they first check out as a suitable potential home. She won't answer casual inquiries at all. I think that is so smart-- it helps her keep her dogs safe, helps protect against people looking for a quick buck going out and stealing one or trying to set up a byb operation, and it helps to keep folks from looking at her dogs as just a status symbol.

[Ichabob]

This is one reason we have large dogs that have the run of the outside yard, people think twice about entering property that has large dogs, our labs would never bite but they are very protecive of their home, they run to the gate with teeth showing, along with their tails wagging, I have gotten to the point I don't take wicket out in public as much as I use too, after hearing about the dog that was stolen by tracing the car tags to see where they live.

[Tiramisu]

I worry about having people come to my house when I have pups for sale. But, they can find the address from the phone number, if they want to.

[Yorkiekids]

That's another good reason to meet the breeder, and not leave your babies alone especially outside. Thanks for posting.

[Sookie]

I'm OC too when it comes to my Yorkie...but it's not limited to Yorkies. Last night on the news here in Florida they said that someone broke into a home down here and stole a litter of 3 toy Poodles. Here is the post about it that the woman made:
My home was burglarized yesterday morning in Lehigh Acres, and they stole 3 Toy Poodle puppies. these are valuable Show puppies and had homes waiting to go to. There is one black male, one black female and one brown female, approx 2 lbs each. These are tiny little puppies 6" tall. They need their mother and were on medication and have not had their shots. I have had reports of someone trying to sell 2 black Poodle puppies in Immokalee yesterday afternoon. Anyone who thinks they may have purchased one of these puppies, I will be glad to reinburse you for your expenses along with a reward for the pups return. If you have any information you can remain anonymous and if puppy is returned I will give you a reward, no questions asked. Please call one of the below numbers if you even think you may have seen these babies.

239-848-6696

239-410-8014

239-303-1010

Please help spread the word permission to crosspost to any relevant list is granted.

Yvonne

[MomToAria]

I really wish there was something we could all do. I am VERY paranoid too. Everyone laughs at me cause they think I am crazy! I have even told my boyfriend that I want to put up a security camera in her room that I can watch while I am at work. When we go for walks I am always conscience if someone is watching or following us. If we are getting close to home and someone is around I pass it up and wait for the person to leave before I turn around and go back. Also when we drive with her and we are getting close to home I make sure she sits in her car seat to where no one can see her and I also make sure no one is following us. I've even wondered if it's possible to get a po box address for my car registration. Another thing I have started doing is telling people she is a mix. So funny cause everyone is proud of the fact that their pup is pure breed and now here I am saying *OH NO WAY, NOT PURE BREED AT ALL!* LOL! Oh and also I am going to start telling people she is 13yrs old. Another thing that has scared me is that when people loose their doggies they always say something along of the lines of *needs medication*, even when they don't....so I am sure most people ignore that now and in an event that we were to loose Aria, she actually does need prescription food otherwise she gets really ill. I guess on a good note if someone were to take her they would more than likely eventually need to take her to the vet because she gets bad poops and throws up quite a bit eating anything other than her food.....and she is microchipped!
It's really very sad that we have to be this scared and paranoid over loosing our babies. I just wish that the people stealing them would get a heart and realize that not only does the owner suffer but so does the dog...they suck!

[MIZBROWN]

Good post - thanks! Here in California too...

I was in the car w/ Meka waiting for my hubby who ran in the store... Two men outside of the store staring at Meka and I. I smiled a lil, but felt a lil uneasy as well. When hubby came out the store the man commented to him that I had a nice dog, and that he use to have one but it was stollen! As hubby walked away the man asked if he could have one of her babies!

Mind you Meka is only 6 mo's - so its more than obvious why the people are taking them and its sooo sad and very scary. I almost fear taking her outside and for walks cause you just dont know whos got any eye on your pup !!!

[yorkiekist]

There is a reputable show breeder of Bulldags in Scottsdale, AZ. She was showing a littler to a "prospective buyer". They left and waited behind a block wall behind her house in the alley. When she left for the store, they just hopped over the wall and stole all her puppies. There were 7 pups and she was selling them as pets for 2500 each.
Another lady in north Phoenix, AZ was showing a litter of yorkies. She went into another room for approx 2 minutes to get some paperwork and came back to zero pups.
I like to show my pups out on the front porch. That way, "prospective thieves" dont know what is behind the door, what kind of surveilance I have, what room the pups are kept in, or how many people live in my house. I can also get the car make and plate #.
I am always worrying if I go away for the day. I have neighbors watch my house alot too. My neighborhood used to be a nice rural country place. It is now being ruined by gangs, illegal aliens,etc.
Lynn

[PANAMA69]

This is so scary

[grayxie]

This is why I never considered a fence for Chip. Eventhough he is part chihuahua, he looks predominantly yorkie. Chip is super friendly, and has pretty much lost his fear towards strangers, he would get into their cars if they let him. If I tie him up in the yard while I do yard work I all ways make sure I can see him, and now I only tie him up when I'm working in the back yard because you can't see most of it off the street. Its not only about stealing doggies for breeding, but stealing dogs and selling them to labs for animal testing, and using them as bait dogs for dog fighting..

[Vinnie's Mom]

I just saw in the paper a few days ago that a Yorkie was stolen in my tiny little town of Indiana, PA, home of IUP, which just boggles my mind. I hope they find the criminal because I would take great pleasure in charging him/her with that crime.

[Vinnie's Mom]

Originally Posted by grayxie

This is why I never considered a fence for Chip. Eventhough he is part chihuahua, he looks predominantly yorkie. Chip is super friendly, and has pretty much lost his fear towards strangers, he would get into their cars if they let him. If I tie him up in the yard while I do yard work I all ways make sure I can see him, and now I only tie him up when I'm working in the back yard because you can't see most of it off the street. Its not only about stealing doggies for breeding, but stealing dogs and selling them to labs for animal testing, and using them as bait dogs for dog fighting..

Chip is darling!!!

[grayxie]

Originally Posted by Vinnie's Mom

Chip is darling!!!

Thanks! If you said it to his face he would be all over you literally...