PET THEFT HAPPENS!!
Jake~You Will Not Be Forgotten
Pet Theft
"Up to two million animals
are stolen each year.
Only about 10% are ever returned home."
~ target=new_window href="http://www.lcanimal.org/cmpgn/cmpgn_014.htm">Last
Chance For Animals
Keep Your Companion Animal
Safe!
In Bridgeport Township,
Michigan, 15 year old Jake, a beloved Bassett Hound, disappeared from the
woods behind his house. Two weeks later, Jake was found.
He had
been brutally tortured and thrown from the window of a moving car. When
Jake's family arrived at the veterinary office where their dog was rushed
to, they could hardly recognize him. Jake died the same day he was
found.
B>What Can You Do To Stop Pet
Theft?
1. Do not leave your companion animal unattended. A roaming
cat or dog left in the backyard, or an animal left alone in a vehicle,
are both perfect targets. Keep companion animals safely inside your home
when you are expecting repair personnel, meter readers, or guests.
2. Do not place a "Free To Good Home" ad in the newspaper or on
the Internet. Bunchers prey on these types of ads. Visit href="http://www.theanimalspirit.com/adopt.html">How To Find A Good Home
For A Companion Animal for more information.
3. Watch for
vehicles, especially trucks and vans, in your neighborhood that you do
not recognize. Report any suspicious activity to your local police
department.
4. Tattoos or microchips are a good way to make sure
that your companion animal can be identified if he/she is stolen. Always
keep a clear, up-to-date photo of your companion animal, including
front, back, and side for easy identification.
5. Spay/neuter
your companion animal. Animals that are spayed/neutered are less likely
to stray from home.
6. Padlock your gate. Outdoor dogs should be
kept safely behind a locked gate.
7. Make sure that your
companion animal is not visible from the street.
8. Do not tie
your companion animal outside a store to wait for you.
What is a "buncher?" BR>
A buncher either steals or "adopts" companion animals for the
purpose of selling the animal. Bunchers can sell animals for one or more
of the following reasons:
"Bunchers" can be very deceptive. They will
sometimes use children as part of the ploy and present themselves as a
"perfect" family. Beware of ads in the paper that say something similar
to:
Looking for a new home for your pet? We can help. We will
If something sounds too good to be true, it probably
pick up your pet and find him or her a new home. Call
now!
is!
What is pet theft? It is estimated that 1.5-2 million dogs and cats are stolen every year off the street, from owners' property and by deception through "free-to-good-home ads". These family pets are taken by common thieves and unlicensed dealers for resale.
How are stolen pets used?
Most are used in biomedical research and testing. They may be burnt, irradiated, blinded, deafened, and mutilated in other ways. In addition, they may be force-fed any number of substances (cleaning agents, pesticides, cosmetics, drugs), and induced into heart-attacks and convulsions. They are also used for dissection, and testing transplants and other types of surgical procedures. Painful, invasive testing on a particular animal may go on for years. Animals are used by publicly and privately-funded research and testing laboratories, which can include universities, medical schools and even veterinary schools.
Smaller dogs and puppies are used as bait for training fighting dogs. Dogs of all sizes may even be used as prey for domestic exotic animals, and as bait for catching wild animals.
Stronger dogs (certain breeds) may be used in fighting rings.
Both dogs and cats may be used in cult rituals. This practice is especially prevalent in Florida.
Puppy mills may use stolen pets as breeding stock. Highly desirable breeds may be resold.
Animals that die, or are too ill to be sold (mortality rate is very high in concentration camps) are used as feed for surviving animals.
Dog fur is sold for novelty purposes (marketed as wolf fur).
In some parts of the country, dogs and cats are used for human consumption.
Who steals pets? Unlicensed dealers and common thieves, collectively referred to as "bunchers". They may sell directly to end users (biomedical researchers and others), or, more commonly to USDA-licensed animal dealers, who in turn sell to end users.
How much is paid for stolen pets? Bunchers may get $10-$50 per animal (depending on condition); licensed dealers $50-$700. Compensation can depend on size, breed and condition.
Where do bunchers and dealers obtain pets? Bunchers steal pets from off the street, from owner's yards and vehicles, and anywhere else the animals are in public view. Bunchers have also stolen dogs from owners at gun point, and by other forcible means. But the easiest way for bunchers to obtain animals is through deception: They answer "free-to-good-home" ads, promising owners they will provide pets with a loving home. Bunchers will say absolutely anything to obtain the animals, e.g., they live on a farm an need a dog to watch over their livestock; they are trying to replace a pet that recently died; they want a companion for their sick child; they need a pet for their son or daughter who is grieving the death of a family member, etc. Some bunchers even use their own children as part of the ploy.
Bunchers often go after specific breeds or sizes of dogs. This is because research laboratories place "orders" for a specific type of animal to USDA-licensed Class B dealers, who in turn call on the bunchers to acquire the animals. For this reason, communities that allow pound seizure are more likely to face problems with theft, because bunchers go to pounds first; and then start looking for animals on the street and at residences.
What happens to pets once they are stolen? Documented reports from federal, state and local authorities suggest that stolen animals are often held and transported under horrendous conditions. Animals taken by bunchers, as well as those purchased by Class B dealers, may end up in animal concentration camps. They may face starvation and dehydration (the expenses of providing food and water, and cleaning up waste are ones bunchers won't be burdened with); extreme weather conditions without shelter; and any number of diseases and parasites. Animals may also be forced to survive in severely crowded cages or enclosures; or be chained to stakes or posts, barely able to move. Even discarded appliances have been used as cages. Animals may reside in the concentration camps for several days to many months, although bunchers try to sell their stolen property as quickly as possible. The mortality rate can be high.
The sale transactions normally take place at "flea markets" and "auctions", sometimes far from where the pets were initially stolen, even several states away. These auctions, which were once public events, are increasingly being held in private in some states, away from the scrutiny of pet owners, government authorities and the media. In Missouri, regarded as the state with the largest amount of stolen pet trafficking, there are no less than 24 of such public auctions and flea markets held, typically on a weekly or monthly basis.
During transport (which may last several days), animals are subject to starvation, dehydration, severe overcrowding, temperature extremes, and lack of air circulation. Again, many dogs and cats die in the transport process - just "the cost of doing business" to the bunchers and dealers whose only concern is profit.
Why do experimenters want pets instead of purpose-bred animals? Pets are valued because of their gentleness and trust of people. Animals from breeders are unsocialized and often difficult to handle.
What is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) role in this problem? USDA licenses individuals as animal dealers. There are several classifications of licensees. Class A dealers breed and raise and animals for specific purposes (such as for use in research). Class B dealers acquire and resell "random source" animals - those obtained from shelters (in states where it is legal), from informed owners willing to donate their pets to research, and other licensed dealers. However, many Class B dealers obtain animals from flea markets and dog auctions, and directly from pet thieves, where the source of the animals is not known.
The USDA has also been charged with enforcing the Animal Welfare Act, passed in 1966. The agency is required to inspect dealer's premises, to ensure animals are cared for properly, and to ensure records are accurate. However, the ratio of inspectors to dealers is extremely large, making the job of routine inspecting very difficult. Class B dealers are supposed to maintain detailed, accurate records on acquisition and disposition of animals. However, based on USDA's own congressional testimony, it is believed a large percentage of the dealers who sell to the biomedical research industry do not comply with the law. Furthermore, the USDA has not adequately sanctioned dealers who fail to comply with the Animal Welfare Act - including those with the most egregious violations. Even dealers with violations numbering in the thousands have not been severely penalized. The USDA admits it does not have the resources to adequately enforce the law.
What is the Animal Welfare Act? The Animal Welfare Act (AWA), originally referred to as the Laboratory Animal Welfare Act, became law in 1966. The intent of the AWA was both to regulate the use of dogs, cats, primates and other animals in laboratories; and put an end to the theft of pets for research. The Act came about because of public outcry over the horrendous conditions under which animals, destined for biomedical research, were subjected to by dealers - and the revelation that many of those animals were stolen pets. The AWA has been amended four times since 1966.
32 years later nothing has changed. The law has been an abysmal failure. Critics have charged that the USDA has largely ignored the pet theft problem, in effect condoning it; and that the federal agency has succumbed to the enormous political pressure yielded by the biomedical industry.
How are pet theft statistics obtained? For over two decades, nonprofit animal welfare organizations have been tracking incidences of pet theft. Initially, most tracking was done on a local level. At present, some organizations track theft nationally. The figure of 1.5-2 million has been extrapolated from reported instances of pet theft in areas that have been closely monitored by these groups for many years. For example, the organization Action 81 was established during the 70's in Virginia, to combat pet theft along Highway 81. Action 81 and California-based In Defense of Animals have since teamed up to operate a pet theft hotline that keeps record of stolen pets all over the United States.
Reliable data on pet theft often cannot be obtained from law enforcement authorities because the problem of pet theft is either not recognized, not taken seriously, or ignored. PAR's own research in the Kansas City metropolitan area confirmed this fact: Standard operating procedure for the area police departments PAR contacted was to refer the complainant to an animal shelter. It is also important to recognize that stolen pet trade, like the drug trade, is organized crime. Large profits give criminals the incentive to go to great lengths in covering up this crime.
What can we do to stop pet theft? The best means to stop pet theft is through prevention.
Do not leave your pet out of your home, unattended. In other words, don't let your dog or cat roam freely; don't leave your pet in an unsecured yard, or in a vehicle while you're doing errands; and don't leave your pet tied outside a store - even for a moment. If you must leave your pet outside unattended, be sure it is not in public view.
Do not use a "free-to-good-home Ad" to place a pet up for adoption unless you are willing to thoroughly investigate the new owner. This means obtaining the name and address of potential adopter and a veterinarian reference, and actually visiting the new home. Do not forewarn you will check information. Some options when placing ads: Charge an adoption fee of around $50. This will probably take away a buncher's profit. Remember that the cost of maintaining a pet is high - and although you may dissuade persons with a legitimate interest in your pet by requiring a fee, they probably could not afford to provide the proper care anyway. Another option is to charge a fee and return the money to the new owner in the form of pre-paid vet services from a local veterinarian; or to donate the fee to a non-profit organization of the adopter's choosing. Remember that bunchers will say anything to acquire an animal, and many are skillful in their ability to deceive owners. Bunchers may even use their own children in the ploy to make their story more convincing.
Watch for vehicles (especially trucks and vans) in your neighborhood that you don't recognize. Plates may be missing or covered with dirt. Also be aware that sometimes thieves will pose as animal control officers. Do not be afraid to ask for identification, and do not hesitate to call the police or sheriff if you suspect illegal activity.
Make sure your pet can be identified if it turns up missing. Your pet should always wears a collar with id tags. Also, it is a good idea to tattoo or microchip your pet, and use a nationally recognized pet registry service. In addition, keep clear, up-to-date 8x10 photos (front, back, sides) of your pet.
Be a
SUNNY NEEDS A HOME! PEANUT NEEDS A HOME! TIPS FOR PLACING A PET PET THEFT HAPPENS! SPAY & NEUTER MYTHS & FACTS DANGERS TO OUTDOOR PETS!
times.
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