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Dognappers Target Toy Breeds

Small dog craze prompts nationwide surge in canine theft

By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff

Posted May 8, 2007 10:01 AM CDT

(Newser) – Forget cat burglars: a surge in the popularity of pricy diminutive dogs has generated a wave of dognapping. Dog thieves across the nation have assaulted store clerks, broken into cars, and even held a family at gunpoint to get their hands on the pups, which can be fenced for thousands of dollars, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Demand outpaces supply for the toy breeds—from 12-pound pugs to 2-pound teacup Yorkshire terriers—because they have small litters. "These days, in this marketplace, it pays to steal a dog," laments the president of the International Kennel Club. "You can slip it into your jacket. And a dog can't point a finger at who stole them."

' (Associated Press)

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Dognappers Target Toy Breeds

Small dog craze prompts nationwide surge in canine theft

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'Barbie Bandit' Fesses Up in Court

Teen bank robber enters weepy guilty plea

Cops: Remote Shutdowns Would Curb Phone Thefts

They want FCC, carriers to put safeguard in place

IT Guy Foils Burglar From 6 Blocks Away

Motion detector in apartment sent images of break-in to his smartphone

Bumbling 'Gumby' Bandit Surrenders

And police keep Jacob Kiss' suit

Bumbling 'Gumby' Tries to Rob 7-Eleven

And fails, hilariously

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Dognappers Target Toy Breeds

Small dog craze prompts nationwide surge in canine theft

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

pets • crime • theft • robbery • dog

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

'Barbie Bandit' Fesses Up in Court

Teen bank robber enters weepy guilty plea

Cops: Remote Shutdowns Would Curb Phone Thefts

They want FCC, carriers to put safeguard in place

IT Guy Foils Burglar From 6 Blocks Away

Motion detector in apartment sent images of break-in to his smartphone

Bumbling 'Gumby' Bandit Surrenders

And police keep Jacob Kiss' suit

Bumbling 'Gumby' Tries to Rob 7-Eleven

And fails, hilariously

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?