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In NSW, it is the duty of the owner to take proper responsibility of their dog, particularly when in a public place. Fails to have effective control of the dog by the use of an adequate leash, cord or chain attached to the dog while being held by him/her at the time.

Texas has no statewide “leash law,” but Houston and several other cities have local laws that require dog owners to leash, muzzle or otherwise restrain their dogs at all times when they are in public areas or prohibit owners from letting their dogs “run at large.” If a dog owner or handler violates one of these local …

If the dog is yours and you can prove it, then if it is not returned you can contact the local police and file a theft report. Police may or may not get involved, sometimes they decide that ownership is not clear and the dispute is a civil matter.

Call the police right away and ask to file a report. This will create a record of the theft and make it easier to retrieve your pet if you happen to see her or hear of her location. Give the HomeAgain lost pet recovery service the details of the alleged theft.

Legally speaking, your dog is property, not people. Therefore, the person is committing a theft, not a kidnapping. You cannot use deadly force to stop a theft.

The theft of a dog is already a criminal offence under the Theft Act 1968 and the maximum penalty is seven years’ imprisonment. If someone causes an animal to suffer in the course of stealing it from its owner, then they are liable to prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

According to analysis by Direct Line Pet Insurance, Staffordshire Bull Terriers continue to top the list of most at risk of theft, with 97 dogs stolen in 2020. The second most targeted is crossbreeds, with 52 dogs stolen. Rounding out the top three is Cocker Spaniels with 34 dogs taken in 2020.

Ways to protect your dog from theft

1. Make sure your dog is microchipped and that you keep your contact details up-to-date, especially if you move home or change your telephone number.
2. Your dog should always wear a collar and ID tag with your name and address on it.

Stolen pets might be used as “bait dogs” to train fighting dogs. These breeds are commonly German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers and American Pit Bull Terriers. Some people sell stolen and lost animals for research and veterinary institutions that use dogs and cats for testing and biomedical experimentation.