KozmicLotus

Hey guys, me and my fiance were walking our Luna the other day in our neighboorhood and a man stopped us. He was admiring our little dobie telling us how beautiful she is. He also warned us about the rising dog theft in the neighboorhood. He had known several people who had their precious family member taken right out of their backyard. I was shocked! When the family members went to the police, the authorities couldnt do much. The family insisted that the dog had a chip implant and they had a idea who had stolen the dog. When the police went to the : alleged dog theif's home they found a dog in his backyard. When they examined the dog they had found that the micro chip had been removed. The man went to the trouble out digging out the mirco chip and trashed it. The police's hands were tied because they could not prove who's dog it was. So they had no choice to leave the dog there. What ever happened to the beloved family pet? Who knows, probably was sold right after that. What I want to know is, is a mirco chip the best option anymore? I've heard of dog tatoos, a type of barcode printed on their toungue or gums. That way if someone takes your dog and you find out where it is being held you can prove to the police "thats my dog, it has tatoo in its mouth, go check" once that has been affirmed you get your dog back and the theif is arrested. So, is this a viable option? What do you think? I'm scared to death of loosing my family member to the hands of a criminal.

DogsR4Life

You can get a tattoo, but if someone REALLY wanted to take your dog, they are going to take her. People will steal dogs, tattoo over the identity marks, scalpel out the microchip, and even clip the ears so they can argue 'their' dog has always had a clipped ear, not yours.

The best way to prevent theft is to just be aware. Never leave your dog alone, even out on potty breaks. When in the house, lock the doors, set up cameras, even an alarm.

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falnfenix

yep, i would just keep an eye on the dog at all times.

Navid_K

It's so horrible that people actually do this stuff

Adnohr

As stated, NEVER leave your dog unattended, not even for a minute. I can never understand why people do such things but... we're stuck with them.

Rosemary

My dogs are tattooed with my SSN. They'd have to amputate their leg to get rid of the tattoos.

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dglvr

My dogs are both tattooed and chipped. Just in case they got lost.

But I know that if someone TAKES my dobe, I'm never going to see him again.

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Eqstrnathlete

My boy is tattooed but more in case he gets lost and slips his collar. He has my cell number that I have had for over 10 years. It is on his sheath. The vet recommended the sheath over the ear because you don't want to always see the tattoo with a dog that has erect ears. He was tattooed when he was neutered for an extra $50. Here is a pic. I blemished the first numbers and his little boy for privacy.


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Kansadobe

We tattoo all of our puppies on their tummy under the flank with our kennel name and a unique identifying number. We tattooed them before micorchips, so since we already have the tattoo gun, we continue the practice in addition to the microchip. The problem is that as the puppy grows and their skin expands the tattoo is not as visible as an adult. However, we do it because I would hope that if the puppy gets stolen or is lost and is found by somebody that would like to keep it, they may think twice if they notice a visible mark on the dog.

We do all of this under anesthesia during the ear cropping. I have often thought about tattooing the phrase, "$100 Call 316-XXX-XXXX", but I am worried I might not have that phone number for the life of the dog.

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Darkevs

in canada all our registered dogs are identified before they leave their breeders home.

many, many, many, etc, , years ago we did nose prints!

then tattoo.

now either a tattoo, a microchip, or both.

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prairiefire

Frankly, I won't hold the popular opinion but if that's the case then I'd wait until everyone left then take my dog back (it's not stealing if it's mine) and have it re-chipped because if the cops can't prove that it's your dog without permanent ID they can't prove it is that family's either.

Hearing people are actually digging chips out of dogs I'd be tempted to tattoo something unusual in an unusual area just so it is unique.

Way back when, my grandfather used to hunt deer with a coonhound cross in Ontario. Each season he used to shave the word "DOG" on each side of her. Not many red hounds running around with that in their coat and it did double duty for trigger happy hunters, reminding them not to shoot the dog. It was a rather unique way to id a dog that couldn't wear an id tag (60s/70s era I think).

JobeyV

When I adopted my boy he had both a tattoo & a microchip. I would second what Kansadobe said about tattoo's fading. Trooper's 22 months old now, his tattoo is in his ear & is virtually unreadable.
I've always microchipped my dogs if they haven't already been done. I've never heard of people cutting them out, that's just awful.
I would echo what others have said, NEVER leave your dog unattended outside. It's better to be safe than sorry.

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KissNme

Oh God what a horrible story. I have the opinion with the others that if someone wants your dog no matter what measure or device you've used it probably doesn't matter. I know I don't leave my dog outside at home without me right there. I'm either right in the yard or at the door or window. My gate is locked and they would have to lift her over the fence. I don't think she would go willingly. Of course my house is always locked, even when I'm there, but I guess if someone was determined to go in with a barking dog through a locked door they must want something pretty darn bad. I didn't do the tatoo method. But I can see why some would in addition to the chip. How awful for this family and that poor dog. People just disqust the hell out of me sometimes!

Rednec_13

If they want your dog that bad to break in your yard or house then they will get it. That is if your dog lets them. Most likely they will not take your dog to the vet or anything after they take it. Chips are great if you dog gets loose. Chips are easy to put in your dog. Just a simple shot. That is the 1st thing the pound does when they pick dogs up. Never heard of a vet charging to scan a dog too. I have a dog with a tattoo but it is a spay tattoo. I would not put my SSN on my dog b/c I dont want the wrong person to get it. People change phone numbers or more. A chip is the only really way to keep info up to date.