Dognapping! The Economy Is to Blame for a Rise in Dog Kidnapping

Pets and the economy have a curious relationship. Overall spending in the pet industry has risen steadily over the past few years, even as the economy has struggled. But spending on pets isn’t entirely recession-proof, as demonstrated by the increase in owners who are choosing cremation when their pets pass away, rather than electing for trendy (and more expensive) cemetery plots and burials. Now the tough economy is giving owners extra reason to watch their pooch’s back — because there has been a rise in dogs being stolen or kidnapped.
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Here’s one to add to the list: according to USA Today, the number of dogs that have been snatched from unsuspecting owners has spiked. During the first seven months of 2011, per the American Kennel Club (AKC), there were reports of 224 stolen dogs, compared with 150 during the same time period last year. That’s a rise of 49%. Overall last year, there were 255 dogs reported stolen, up from 162 in 2009 and 71 in 2008.

What’s behind the rise in dognappings? Lisa Peterson, AKC spokeswoman, tells USA Today flatly, “The motivation is money and economics.”

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