BY KELLY ATHERTON

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

South Jersey residents are living the terrible nightmare of having their family pets stolen right out of their own backyard.

According to New Jersey 101.5, there have been dozens of dognapping reports in Atlantic County and Cumberland County has seen 43 cases. The dogs taken have primarily been small dogs like Yorkies, Malteses, Shizhu and small designer dog mixes.

Charlene Rosenbaum, Animal Cruelty Investigator with the Cumberland County SPCA told New Jersey 101.5 that these pets can carry a hefty price. “You see a little Yorkie-poo sitting on someone’s yard and no one’s around so you take it, you can turn around and sell it for $500,” Rosenbaum said.

Rosenbaum also noted that stolen dogs are used as “bait dogs” in fighting rings in some cases. Typically, trained dogs are often encouraged to fight untrained dogs. “And if it’s obviously a smaller and weaker dog, it’s really not going to be any match,” Rosenbaum said.

Sylkia Flores, a Bridgeton resident, had her dog Ginger taken while she was cleaning out her car only a few feet away, reported NBC 40.

“Its been really hard cause I don’t have any kids. Ginger is like my daughter. She’s like a family member to me,” Flores told NBC 40.

Nancy Beall of the Atlantic County SPCA told NBC 40, “They are luring the dog out; absolutely, the dog hears something and comes running out, they reach over and scoop it out and off they go.”

To protect pets, Rosenbaum highly recommends getting dogs micro chipped. The chip is placed under the dogs skin and contains all of the owner’s information.

If a dog happens to get loose and ends up in a shelter or veterinarian office, they will be able to scan the chip and obtain information to contact the owner. Rosenbaum also told New Jersey 101.5 that it helps in cases of stolen dogs if the perpetrator brings the dog in for a vet visit.

The best way to protect your pet is to not leave the dog unattended outside. “There’s really nothing that secures the animal outside. It has the best chance of not being taken if it’s inside your home,” Rosenbaum said.

Rosenbaum added that if your pet is ever stolen or missing, it is best to contact the police first.

If you have any information concerning these crimes you are urged to call your local SPCA.