The head of an animal rights group is warning about an increase in the number of dogs being stolen from Midwest yards and farmsteads. Veterinarian Elliot Katz, president of the group In Defense of Animals, says there’s an “epidemic” of missing dogs. Dr. Katz says there was a similar spike in dog thefts in the region some 15 years ago.
“Particularly the Midwest because there’s a tendency for people to leave their dogs out in larger yards or to actually run loose,” Katz says. “Bunchers, they were called, would pick them up, go into neighborhoods with some vans and pick up dogs and leave the community.” From there, he fears papers are falsified and the snatched canines are being sold at auctions for up to $300 per dog. He claims the dogs may end up in research labs in “very painful” conditions.”
Contact your local media and your local animal control and see if people have been reporting (thefts),” Katz says. “Oftentimes, it doesn’t reach public attention until quite a few have been stolen so keep an eye out in your community.”
A $1,500 reward is being offered for information that leads to the missing dogs being found and retrieved. To report tips, call your local law enforcement office. To contribute to the reward fund, contact In Defense of Animals at 415- 448-0043.