Your dog has never ran away before. You don't know how he could have escaped from your yard, but there is no sign of him. Many times people jump to the conclusion that their dog was stolen, when actually their dog managed to escape, and is lost.
Unfortunately, dogs are sometimes stolen too.
Whether your dog was stolen or was lost, you need to generate sightings. We treat ALL dogs as lost! Often when a dog is thought to have been stolen, they have just wandered off. Even if you are 100% sure your dog was taken by a thief, we encourage you not to use the word "stolen" because it can prevent you from being reunited with your dog. Here are several reasons why:
• The thief may feel pressured to let your dog loose if they see them listed as stolen - and then your dog really IS lost, or may end up at a shelter.
• If someone sees your dog running loose, they may not try to help since they assume it can’t be the same dog because a stolen dog would be in someone’s possession.
• The finder may be reluctant to contact you because they don’t want to be accused, or don’t want to become involved.
• Your dog may escape from the thief and be lost.
• The danger to assuming your dog has been stolen is it keeps you from checking the shelter or broadening your search efforts.
If you believe your dog has been stolen, file a police report right away so you have a paper trail. When you find your dog, you will need an officer to go with you to recover them - and to prosecute the thief. Do not let the thief know you are coming. You want them to be surprised to see you standing on their front step with the police when they open the door. You do not want them to have time to make up a story, or to hide your dog. Often the thief is someone you know. Perhaps a grouchy neighbor; someone you’ve had a disagreement with or owe money to; an angry family member; or an “ex” who may be trying to hurt you.
Next, send us the information here so we can help you get the word out: PetFBI.org This is free! You’ll immediately be able to download free flyers to print and use online. We’ll share it to our Facebook page, Pinterest, and Twitter. It may not be the person who has your dog that contacts you, but a neighbor or a friend of theirs who sees your flyer and calls you to rat them out.
If you see your dog being offered for sale on Craigslist or a social media site, immediately take a screen shot of the ad. You’ll need proof, and the seller’s contact information, in the event they remove the ad before you recover your dog. Act as if you are interested in buying your dog from them, and don’t let on you believe the dog is yours. Take the police with you when you go.
Unfortunately, dogs are sometimes stolen too.
Whether your dog was stolen or was lost, you need to generate sightings. We treat ALL dogs as lost! Often when a dog is thought to have been stolen, they have just wandered off. Even if you are 100% sure your dog was taken by a thief, we encourage you not to use the word "stolen" because it can prevent you from being reunited with your dog. Here are several reasons why:
• The thief may feel pressured to let your dog loose if they see them listed as stolen - and then your dog really IS lost, or may end up at a shelter.
• If someone sees your dog running loose, they may not try to help since they assume it can’t be the same dog because a stolen dog would be in someone’s possession.
• The finder may be reluctant to contact you because they don’t want to be accused, or don’t want to become involved.
• Your dog may escape from the thief and be lost.
• The danger to assuming your dog has been stolen is it keeps you from checking the shelter or broadening your search efforts.
If you believe your dog has been stolen, file a police report right away so you have a paper trail. When you find your dog, you will need an officer to go with you to recover them - and to prosecute the thief. Do not let the thief know you are coming. You want them to be surprised to see you standing on their front step with the police when they open the door. You do not want them to have time to make up a story, or to hide your dog. Often the thief is someone you know. Perhaps a grouchy neighbor; someone you’ve had a disagreement with or owe money to; an angry family member; or an “ex” who may be trying to hurt you.
Next, send us the information here so we can help you get the word out: PetFBI.org This is free! You’ll immediately be able to download free flyers to print and use online. We’ll share it to our Facebook page, Pinterest, and Twitter. It may not be the person who has your dog that contacts you, but a neighbor or a friend of theirs who sees your flyer and calls you to rat them out.
If you see your dog being offered for sale on Craigslist or a social media site, immediately take a screen shot of the ad. You’ll need proof, and the seller’s contact information, in the event they remove the ad before you recover your dog. Act as if you are interested in buying your dog from them, and don’t let on you believe the dog is yours. Take the police with you when you go.
