Bands of thieves are behind rise in 'dognappings'

If you live in England, it might be time to lock the doggie door. Authorities there are being hounded with reports of "dognappings" across the fair isle, with an estimated 3,500 pooches stolen in 2012, a 17 percent increase from the previous 12 months. The oft-brazen thieves are well-organized and steal the dogs from homes, kennels and dog houses; they even snatch them as they take walks with their owners. The most-filched breeds? Working dogs like labradors, but also chihuahuas, pugs and increasingly cocker spaniels. Police say most of the black-market dogs are either stolen to fill specific orders or sold online. [Source]

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