Why Are Dog Thefts in Illinois Suddenly Skyrocketing?

I don't understand why anyone would be heartless enough to do this. Statistics are showing that dog thefts in Illinois are skyrocketing and there's no good reason why.

If you pay attention to headlines, you've seen a number of these dognapping cases in Illinois including one that was stolen during an armed robbery in Chicago and another dog stolen a few months ago in Joliet. Some thief even stole a dog in Illinois that was being cared for at a foster home from a shelter.

I've noticed a severe increase recently of lost animals in Adams County that we frequently share on our Facebook page that show dogs that normally would not adventure far from home that are now suddenly missing.

Dogster says that 2 million dogs are stolen each year. Remarkably sad.

Study Finds has a brand new study that shows the dark world of dognapping is on the rise. They revealed that many are stealing the more popular breeds then selling them for thousands of dollars.

If you have a French Bulldog or a Yorkshire Terrier, they report that the American Kennel Club says you're especially in danger of becoming a victim.

The website Paws says that some Illinois pets are being stolen and then sold to puppy mills for breeding. That's just terrible. It gets worse. A large number are also sold as what is referred to as a "bait dog" used to train other dogs for fighting. They also say that there are "class B dealers" who sell dogs to research institutions for testing purposes.

What can you do to prevent being a dog theft victim?

Paws recommends that you don't allow your dog to roam the neighborhood unsupervised and to keep pets inside if you're not home if at all possible. They also advise if you must give up an animal, do not give it to a home without references. You may very well be giving a loving animal to someone who will use it for nefarious purposes.