“Buncher” Theft and Unattended Dogs

Don’t let the warmer Spring and Summer temperatures tempt you to leave your dog unattended in the yard or at a store while shopping. Now is the “high season” for bunchers to do their work.

What’s A Buncher?

Bunchers are regular looking people whose business is stealing dogs. They patrol towns and cities in groups of twos or threes to steal family pets. They check out yards or shopping areas where dogs are left unattended and may even stake out an area to figure out family routines, etc.   When they get a “bunch” they can sell the dogs to research labs, dog fighters (who use the domesticated animal as “bait”), or to (unsavory) people who skin the dogs for their pelts which are then incorporated into clothing (yes, this does take place in this country – Grrrrrr…). 

Bunchers can earn $200 to $400 for a dog, since, for example, a single dog fighting purse can ring in $20,o0o to $50,000, or that research labs find it easier to work with domesticated dogs (Grrrrrr…).  There’s also some concern that the bad economy may cause some desperate people to grasp  onto this relatively easy way of making money.

A Dog Can Be Snatch In Seconds

Don’t let it happen! If you leave the house, keep your dog locked safely inside the house or garage. Don’t keep your dog outside in the yard ( leashed or unleashed) unless you are right there where you can see the pooch (hey, lounging outside is a nice way to get a tan and some R&R) and have a lock on your gate. Tying your pet outside a store is definitely risky. Naturally, allowing your dog to “roam” the neighborhood as some people do every day is a not good — for lots reasons — but now there’s this to consider. 

Love your dog? Then keep your mate safe!  You can do a Google search to learn more about bunchers – but make sure your dog is beside you while you’re surfing the web. (I received this seasonal reminder from Lisa Curtis, CEO of Bow Wow gifts – Thanks Lisa)

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