Dog theft in our area (the Pacific Northwest) is huge. People are bold enough to break into people's homes to steal purebred dogs -- they then sell them at flea markets, on craigslist, ebay, and anywhere else they can. Mixed breed dogs they use for fight bait, or wait for "Reward" posts, to gain a few easy bucks. People steal dogs out of cars in parking lots every day for the same reasons. My dogs (see photo) LOVE to go for car rides -- which is great, but if I'm running errands and can't keep them within eye-sight, then I wait to do that errand later, or take my dogs home. NO DOG should EVER be left unsupervised in a yard or car. My next door neighbor had their two shih tzus stolen out of their yard a couple of years ago -- never saw them again.

Dog theft is very high everywhere. This is primarily due to the new rules about dogs being bred for labs. It is being phased out due in part to the Beagle Project. And there is the "flipping" of dogs for profit and the dreaded "bait dog" trade started by the cowards in dog fighting. At no time can you leave your dog unattended. Dog have yes been stolen from people while on a leash in their own yard, from cars, from homes when it was thought it was a robbery it was not. All set up to steal a dog. Any dog is game. No matter what size, age, breed or even health related. They can be sold as lab subjects if they are ill. Watch your vets offices for new employees, delivery people, grocery stores, fast food restaurants. The female will profile you, trick you and make you feel comfortable with her in your life. It might not be her who grabs the dog. But their advantage is speed and surprise. Don't make it easy for them. Obstacles don't always work but do help.