French bulldogs stolen from South Jersey still missing. Are your pets safe?
Members of lost and found pet groups and community watches in South Jersey have likely come across one pet owner's consistent cry for help: any leads possible in finding Peanut and Bubby.
The puppies, a pair of 3-month-old French bulldogs were first reported lost on Sept. 21 in Bellmawr.
The puppies have yet to be found, but their collars and trackers were located in Camden on Sept. 20 near North 21st Street and Hayes Avenue without a trace of the brothers, according to the owners.
Are dog thefts something becoming common to the area? And should owners of certain breeds be on the lookout?
Are dog thefts common in South Jersey?
While the Bellmawr Police Department said that there hadn't been any sort of rise or commonality in dog thefts in their area, this isn't the first time that French bulldogs in particular have made headlines after theft allegations nationally.
Some may remember a 2021 incident when pop singer Lady Gaga's French bulldogs were violently stolen from her dogwalker. According to the American Kennel Club, this small breed was the No. 2 most popular in 2020 and 2021.
By 2022 the French bulldog had claimed the crown for canine popularity, and, according to Tom Sharp, president and CEO of AKC Reunite, they're also the dog AKC sees stolen the most.
Sharp had a few theories for why French bulldogs in particular may be a susceptible breed for theft.
For starters, Frenchies are incredibly popular, and this popularity paired with their often-expensive price range (which Sharp said can easily cost in the thousands) make them a target for stealing, either to be sold or to avoid having to cough up cash to own this breed.
This pup may also be a target for dog thieves because of its size, something that Sharp said is a commonality with Yorkies, another small dog breed at the top of the list for thefts.
Missing Frenchies in South Jersey
"We are devasted," reads a message from owner Dave Hicks via PawBoost, a website that helps create posts and flyers for missing animals.
The missing flyers have been recirculated across social media groups and pages dealing with lost pets in the area.
The listing is promising a $1,000 reward for the puppies' safe return, no questions asked.
"If you see any ads selling them or know someone who is buying them or have found them, please let us know," the message continued.
Hicks told the Courier-Post that they've had leads everywhere from a Wawa in Dover to Levittown but nothing had panned out.
According to the alert posts, the owners of the puppies have been in contact with both Camden and Bellmawr police departments, and Hicks said that a witness saw the puppies being taken.
As of Oct. 12 the puppies were still missing.
How to prevent dog theft
If you're worried about the safety of your furry friends, there are a few steps you can take to keep your peace of mind.
Invest in a GPS tracker. Being able to have your pet's location can provide leads for finding your pet in the case that they wander off or go missing.
Chip your pets. While GPS trackers can be great if your dog is lost, Sharp pointed out that they will likely be the first thing tossed if the animal is stolen. One of the first things people look for when they find a lost animal is a microchip. These chips lay underneath the dog's skin with an ID number that can be scanned and traced back to you as the owner. Microchips registered with organizations like the AKC can also make it easier for the police to confirm the animal's ownership in the case of a dog theft.
Finally, when in doubt, keep an eye on your pups, especially smaller breeds that are easy to grab. Also be cautious about identifying factors like addresses and backgrounds when posting your pup on social media.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Is pet theft common in South Jersey? How to keep your animals safe
