10 most-stolen dog breeds and 3 smart ways to protect your furry friend
Few things terrify a pet owner more than finding out their furry friend disappeared. In the U.S., around four million dogs go missing each year. Pet owners have a lot to worry about: medication, closing gates, so the dogs don’t get out and even outright kidnappings.
Dog abductions skyrocketed over the last decade. To be more specific, they shot up by 70% since 2010, according to American Kennel Club president Tom Sharp. Over lockdown, lonely hearts wanted loving dogs to keep them company.
Criminals saw dog purchases go up and created new dognapping schemes — along with the typical slew of online scams. Tap or click here, so you don’t fall for expensive puppy scams. In this article, you’ll get the full scoop on the dangerous world of dognapping, as well as some helpful tips to keep your four-legged family member safe.
If you thought dognappers were all bark and no bite, think again
Not only are criminals stealing thousands of dollars from people who are lonely in lockdown, but they’re even stealing dogs as you’re walking them. Professional dog walker Ryan Fischer was walking Lady Gaga’s French bulldogs when criminals shot him in the chest and snatched the pooches.
The dogs are home safe now, and Fischer is recovering from the bullet that pierced his lung. Of course, celebrities aren’t the only people who have to worry about criminals targeting dogs. BBC News says 2020 was the “worst ever” year for dog theft.
The problem isn’t going away anytime soon. You should be especially worried if you have a dog breed that’s most likely to be stolen. Reader’s Digest has the scoop on the 10 dog breeds that thieves steal most often:
- Siberian husky
- Poodle
- Labrador retriever
- Shih Tzu
- Maltese
- German shepherd
- Chihuahua
- Yorkshire terrier
- Bulldog
- French bulldog
Check out the article above for more info on why these breeds are so popular. If you have one of these breeds, stay alert.
YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS: The best puzzles and toys to get your dog’s mind working
Here’s what you can do
Dognappers are getting bolder than ever before — likely because there are few consequences for stealing animals. That’s because your pet dog is considered your personal property. This has been the case since the Supreme Court’s ruling in 1897.
Have a SimpliSafe system? There's a brand new HD outdoor camera to add to your home's arsenal
When it comes to home security, you need a company you can trust. Traditional home security companies are all about the bottom line. You work with a salesperson to find a system, someone comes over to install it, then you’re locked into a long contract with high monthly fees.
Ding, dong: 6 funniest moments caught by video doorbells
Sure, you probably know all about the ways doorbell cameras like SimpliSafe can boost your home security system. Connect them to your phone, and you get a 24/7 live stream of everything going on in your home. With these nifty tools, you can catch burglars, find missing children and even tell your neighbors about a fire.
The best way to keep an eye on your pets inside and out
Pets are notorious for causing a stir when their owners are away. When you drive off, dogs might bark so loudly they bother the neighbors. Cats might scratch the sofa to punish you for leaving.
Animals have many methods for messing up the house when you’re away. Sometimes, you may return home and walk into such an outrageous mess you can’t help but wonder, “How on Earth did that happen?”
6 essential features you need in a home security system
Most people who don’t have home security systems yet are probably still planning on installing one in the future. How many times have you left your home thinking, “I wish I had some kind of protection system in place?”
Headed back to the office? Best way to keep an eye on your home from anywhere
You know the stress of being a parent. When the kids were young, you jumped at every sneeze, cough and wobbly step.
Now that they’re young adults or teenagers, there are different stresses. Are they driving while distracted by texts and social media messages? At home, are they safe? Are they being responsible for getting home on time from school, not raiding your liquor cabinet and staying out of trouble?
Comparison: SimpliSafe vs. ADT vs. Vivint
This is pretty cool. We wanted to do a visual comparison to show you how SimpliSafe is the better choice for home security, so we decided to look at two big-name competitors — ADT and Vivint.
You never know what’s going to happen when you compare a sponsor to its competitors, but we were thrilled with what we found.
SimpliSafe's winter sweater sounds the alarm when people stand too close
Sick of people standing too close to you? Here’s a great new way to enforce the six-foot social distancing rule: Sound a siren through your sweater!
That’s the idea behind SimpliSafe’s new sweater. The company that keeps your family safe and sound made its own festive garment this year, decked out in tech to inspire social distance.
Take the guesswork out of home security
It’s almost a new year, and that means you’re likely contemplating New Year’s resolutions. One of them should be to make improvements to your home security system.
Start 2021 off right and keep your family safe by adopting a security setup from our sponsor, SimpliSafe. It’s Kim’s pick for lots of reasons.
Kim's pick for home security: Get a FREE HD camera
Do you feel 100% confident your home is safe from thieves and break-ins? What about disasters like a flood or fire?
Not being protected is a scary way to live. The good news is it’s easy and affordable to protect you, your home and your family 24/7. With SimpliSafe, you order everything you need online at SimpliSafeKim.com, install it in under an hour and activate the system. After that, your family is protected by professional security monitoring, all with no contracts.
4 critical features to look for in a home protection service
Even though some coronavirus restrictions are starting to be lifted across the U.S., many Americans are committed to staying home. At least until they feel safe going out in public.
While you’re still at home, the last thing you need is the added stress of worrying about burglars trying to break into your home. That’s why it’s important to have home security from a company you can trust.
Now, more than ever, it's time to protect your home
Like millions of Americans, the coronavirus pandemic most likely has you practicing social distancing. With all the uncertainty in the world, feeling safe at home has never been more important.
That’s why we want to talk to you about home security. SimpliSafe has made it easy to get protection for your entire home, without a technician or salesperson coming to your house.
SimpliSafe protects your whole house in under an hour
You’ve probably heard how easy it is to protect your family, home and valuables these days. It’s nothing like the hassle it used to be.
Technology has changed everything — and simplified it, too. That’s because wireless technology has made installing home security an afternoon project, rather than the all-day nightmare it was when techs had to drill holes in your walls, cut wires and mount a system that worked just OK.