Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:54 am Post subject: Dogknapping
Only me - again
We took Pepper to Hampstead Heath this weekend and left her chained up with the other doggies for all of 3 minutes to grab our breakfast. When I came out I was reprimanded by a group of middle aged ladies who scolded me for 'leaving my dog outside as she could be stolen'. I felt rather silly being scolded so publicly and just wondered does anyone leave their dog outside a shop/post office/anywhere public on their own. Am I a terribly bad mummy? How do you therefore go about popping to the shop with your dog? We felt so awful and breakfast was rather ruined.
nope never - I dont even leave Ruby in the car and pop anywhere - too risky in my opinion. If there is two of us one stays with her - if there is only me then tough I dont stop (petrol pay at pump is probably the only thing I have ever done with her in the car) IMO (sorry) I agree with the women who told you off not worth the risk
I would have no qualms if an emergency occured of taking Ruby in whatever shop I needed to go into - no one is getting their hands on my woof
Nope- we never leave Echo tied up anywhere outside just in case. We would worry to much that she would either get stolen or more likely try to escape. We do occasionally leave her in the locked car (windows partially open) just for a few minutes.
I would never leave Danny or Jake anywhere on their either.... I know it sounds obsurd but I don't think its worth the risk.
I have only ever left them to go into the petrol station to pay for petrol and at the weekend left them in the car in a hotel carpark whilst I nipped up to the room - but I was panicking all the time.... I never plan to do it again though
I would leave my dog outside (but ussually don't anyway) but where I live is a whole other world really in comparison to what goes on on the mainland, I would seriously have to reconsider if we ever move. I suppose they could have had a gentler more polite way of telling you the risks but I suppose they have had experience and don't want it to happen to you too, it is very common these days if you have a look at some of the stories on lost labs you might be shocked.
No, I would never leave any of dog where they could potentially be taken. I only leave them in the car at petrol stations but with the doors locked for afew minutes where I can see her. I did have to leave Millie to go for a wee at the service station the other day because I was on my own, but the car was locked and I ran as fast as I could to get back to her, I didn't even feel that comfortable doing that and consider it to be a risk, I was worrying every minute.
I wouldnt do it if I were you, just imagine how you would feel if you returned and she was gone ...... it doesn't bear thinking about, so it's not worth the risk.
ooooh. feel awful. I had my last dog for 16 years and took/left her outside the shop on various ocassions. She was a beautiful fuzzy furball of a mongrel and she never got stolen or attacked and I have lived in central London all my life. Hmmm, must be because Pepper is a pedigree I guess. Lesson learnt then.
I've never left Blue outside but mainly because he's just a pup and probably wouldn't behave but loads of people around here leave their dogs tied up down at the shops. I don't think you should live life thinking "but what if" and I think if I'd been reprimanded in public after leaving my dog for a few minutes while I bought my breakfast I'd have given them a mouthful right back.
Dog theft is rife at the moment...I think there was a statistic of 500 dogs per week being reported as stolen, on the news not so long ago .
It isn't just a case of pedigree dogs being stolen either. Pedigree dogs are much more likely to be sold on or used on puppy farms to breed from, but mongrels are also being taken, as are old and sick dogs, as these are then either ransomed or used to let fighting dogs "practise" on .
It wasn't that long ago that I would leave my dogs outside the paper shop or even just in the back of the car, but I wouldn't now, I would never forgive myself if one of them went missing.
The biggest problem I have when travelling around the country with just me and the dogs in the car, is having to stop for a pee......I won't stop in a motorway service station, as I would have to leave them in the car....so I always end up pulling into a quiet layby and having to go behind a bush like a fella (and I'm sure that is much easier if you're a man:roll:) .
Times have changed too much now to even let your dogs loose in your front garden, without wondering if anyone is eyeing them up .
If your dog is friendly there is also the risk that he could jump up at someone or a child and knock them over, I think they only have to scare someone for you to be prosecuted these days, so not worth the risk IMO.
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not worth the risk 
I never plan to do it again though
ooooh. feel awful. I had my last dog for 16 years and took/left her outside the shop on various ocassions. She was a beautiful fuzzy furball of a mongrel and she never got stolen or attacked and I have lived in central London all my life. Hmmm, must be because Pepper is a pedigree I guess. Lesson learnt then. 
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