STEALING DOGS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 14, 22 May 1939, Page 7

STEALING DOGS

•X. °~ 'RACKET" IN ENGLAND IDENTIFICATION CARDS MADE How many clog owners, if their *log is losit, can describe him in detail. give the position and colour of markings on his v <*oat, the length of v Tris such special points as scars or broken teeth and other marks like ly to help in identification. The English National Canine Defence League, believing that owners -with this photographic memory are rfew, has issued a special dog identification card. This is a cheerful "brown, wallet which can hold a licence, pedigree (if any) and picture. , Tt ha§ also space on its cover for ?. "history and full description, besides notes and licences and hints on the recovery of lost dogs. Since the first of these were issued "last thousands have been applied for—from all over the country and from Ireland, Eire, as well as Ulster. Mr Charles R. Johns, secretary of the league, believes that i " the wallet will remain a permanent ' feature of the league's service. "Dog stealing '' he said, "is an impudent, highly-organised racket. Probably the West End is the best place for the thief, but cases occur in ■waves in various districts. The mo-t ■•popular* breed with the dog.stealer is the Scotch terrier; Scotties are not at all easy to identify, and there is a. market for them on the Continent. "Dog owners are often careless. "They will let valuable portable pro■pertv out in the streets or park with ■cut a collar. It is easy enough for a thief to whip the dog into a waiting car and make off. Frequently the ' % owner does not know how to describe him. There may be a photograph. «nrl if it is a good one it is invaluable. Too often_ though, it is a mere smudge with an unrecognisable portrait of a dog against an admirable rJ~ s tudy of a wall or fence. * "Dog_stealers have studied their -craft. They know that in 99 cases t;he owner of the lost dog is only too glad to get it back, at whatever cost. 2nd will not prosecute. And they make him pay. ''We suggest that an owner should never allow his dog to exercise alone, J}. never allow him to roam too far out of sight, train him —if he is inclined to wander—to come at t'h e call of a ■whistle, always have name and address on. the coTlar ( arnd discourage * him from accepting food or attention from strangers..'*