CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => General Cocker Spaniel Discussion => Topic started by: Jaysmumagain on March 04, 2021, 02:45:12 PM
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Last weekend two cockers were stolen about 15 miles away and owners are devastated to say the least.
It is really becoming scary - these monsters not only take our beloved babies but are becoming more and more aggressive punching and pushing owners.
I do not want to scare us with this post but please be careful on the routes you take.
I know there is talk of trying to make punishment stricter for these scum bags - but I am not sure if it will help or even happen.
Ollie is 13 and so very precious to me and along with the worries of his health I now find myself fearing taking him out on my usual walk.
Keep yourself and your babies safe.
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That's awful, I keep reading the news stories about the increase in dog theft but it must be horrible to have it so close to home. I can't imagine what the owners must be going through.
I'm being cautious at the moment, so trying to look out for anyone behaving strangely and making sure I walk where there are lots of other people and in daylight whenever possible. It doesn't sound like that would help if someone was really determined though.
Just terrifying, but thank you for flagging it.
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My wife will no longer take ours out on her own after reading many similar accounts of violent dog theft, it's a sad sad world we live in when a lady is scared to take a dog for a walk in our so called Great Britain
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Its horrendous, - people used to feel safer walking a dog than walking alone but sadly it seems to now be the reverse. Is pepper spray available in UK? We can buy small cans here, and I‘ve been considering keeping one in my pocket, although whether I‘d actually be quick thinking enough to use if when the situation arose, I don‘t know.
Take care everyone, keep yourselves and your cockers safe! :luv:
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P.s. - I just found this online for UK - might be worth considering?
https://www.vestguard.co.uk/eveaid-personal-defence-spray.html
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Thank you Jayne for this....I have a buzzer alarm but it would freak Ollie out.
I think my location and the walk I love is what worries me as too close to a main route to a port town and sadly I believe many dogs end up out of the UK. Not too bad when OH comes along.
I think it will be a buy I will sadly need to make. Since he has got older my big brave boy has become a little timid and at 13 years old and nobbled as OH puts it - still it is a worry when you love them unreservedly.
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It is very worrying just now, I think you are right to be prepared. Sad that it has come to this.
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We all have that bottle of revolting perfume sitting around. Stick it in your pocket. A spray in the face will work just as good to give you a bit of time also not illegal to carry. Here in Wales the reports are scary especially around gundogs. Until It becomes a vote winning political cause I'm afraid we stand alone. My hard job is telling mum that not everyone is a friend of her and her dog
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We all have that bottle of revolting perfume sitting around. Stick it in your pocket. A spray in the face will work just as good to give you a bit of time also not illegal to carry. Here in Wales the reports are scary especially around gundogs. Until It becomes a vote winning political cause I'm afraid we stand alone. My hard job is telling mum that not everyone is a friend of her and her dog
That‘s a good idea! (A blast of Devon Violets would probably discourage them from ever trying it again on anyone else as well!! :005:)
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We all have that bottle of revolting perfume sitting around. Stick it in your pocket. A spray in the face will work just as good to give you a bit of time also not illegal to carry. Here in Wales the reports are scary especially around gundogs. Until It becomes a vote winning political cause I'm afraid we stand alone. My hard job is telling mum that not everyone is a friend of her and her dog
Thanks, that is a good idea - I got bought some perfume from work the year before last and it's disgusting - but it is in small pocket size bottles
Stay safe everyone :luv:
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It really is getting very scary walking the dog. I carry a personal alarm and mini hairspray but always try to walk where there’s a few people about. Luckily in our Village there are a few others to ask to go with me with their dog. I even took my house number sign down as it had a Cockers head on it and replaced it with a plain one. Just try to be extra careful and watch any cars or vans that seem to be a bit suspicious. Very sad world we live in now.
Stay safe everyone :luv:
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It really is getting very scary walking the dog. I carry a personal alarm and mini hairspray but always try to walk where there’s a few people about. Luckily in our Village there are a few others to ask to go with me with their dog. I even took my house number sign down as it had a Cockers head on it and replaced it with a plain one. Just try to be extra careful and watch any cars or vans that seem to be a bit suspicious. Very sad world we live in now.
Stay safe everyone :luv:
A very sad world indeed were people are scared to walk there dogs.
Stay safe, ladies especially ❤️
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I was aware of dog theft issues at the moment but i presumed that to be people taking dogs from gardens, outside shops etc. Never really crossed my mind that people were taking them from people in public. Although now I've read this i'm not surprised. Stealing dogs must be the new stealing motorbikes for the feral scum.
If it was my Mrs that was worried about it id be doing the walking or going with her.
Stay in busy places and with friends if possible, not easy with covid i guess. More importantly be aware of your surroundings and who's around you. Tell people where you're going and when you will be back etc
Alarms / perfumes / sprays - I'm sure in theory they make seance but in reality useless for the main. Would you really have time to fumble in your pocket / handbag to find it then spray it - I very much doubt it.
My Grans approach to dog walking after my Grandad died was to take a big stick with her. Id say that kind of approach would be better than a spray etc not that i condone violence but taking a walking stick, big golf type umbrella sort of thing at least you could keep them at distance or bosh em in the noggin.
What a few dick heads do to spoil it for the majority.
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OH just seen on Facebook two cockers taken from Gloucester. Ours sleep in a crate at night or when we are out without them. I've put paddocks on the collapsible sides and door so no one can get the dogs out easily
The crate is too big to fit through the door so cant be carried out.
Also taking a walking stick when out with the dogs now.
I wouldn't be responsible for my actions if someone were foolish enough to try and take our dogs while they were on a walk. Where we live has a Facebook group and its obvious people are getting a little paranoid now lots of reports of suspicious behaviour.
We all put so much time and love into our dogs it must be devastating to loose them in this way.
Please all try to stay safe and take care
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I’ve just read a suggestion to have a football referee whistle on your coat on elastic. Not a noise you hear much, so will attract attention.
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I’ve become increasingly nervous about taking Rhodri out on my own.
Every day, I’m seeing something on line about dogs being taken.
I’ve bought a small can of defence spray and I have a rape alarm and my normal dog whistle, but I’m still very nervous.
I’m on my own today and will be taking him for a stroll shortly. Luckily this morning, I bumped into another dog walker and we walked together.
It’s a sad world we’re living in. Walking my best friend has been my saviour through lockdown and now the enjoyment is being taken away 😞
Stay safe everyone xx
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I’ve just read a suggestion to have a football referee whistle on your coat on elastic. Not a noise you hear much, so will attract attention.
Very good idea!
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My Grans approach to dog walking after my Grandad died was to take a big stick with her. Id say that kind of approach would be better than a spray etc not that i condone violence but taking a walking stick, big golf type umbrella sort of thing at least you could keep them at distance or bosh em in the noggin.
I have a walking staff made of very hard Chestnut.Perfectly legal and needed these days due to Osteoarthritis in my knees.I have cut it in half and inserted a threaded joint,also perfectly legal.It takes seconds to unscrew and I have two 26" 'Escrima' type sticks.A good whack on the knee/shin and any would be thief is incapacitated long enough for me to distance myself from them.I have not had to use it or even threatened to but wouldn't hesitate to protect me and my dog!
A real pity that we even need to be talking about this :-\
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Although a walking stick sounds great in theory, the problem is that if a thief or thieves is determined to take your dog, there is the possibility they will take the stick to disable you while they make their getaway and thus actually make it easier to take your dog.
I have heard of houses being broken into to snatch the dogs, a thief trying to steal a blind person’s guide dog, a Labrador purchased to help a lady recover from cancer being stolen and other despicable crimes. Although the dog snatchers take the dogs, the people actually buying them are just as guilty. Selling a puppy with false papers may be easy such is the demand nowadays but it isn’t just puppies being stolen, adult dogs are too. Who are these people who purchase an adult dog with no questions asked? Where do the sellers say the dog has come from?
I can’t imagine the pain and anguish felt if your dog is stolen. What a horrible world we live in
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They’d not get my sticks!
People like this must be stupid.Why arrange to meet someone in what is frankly one of the worst areas of Sheffield!Never take your dogs or pups to a meeting point!
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-england-south-yorkshire-56296650
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The world we live in at the moment is unbelievable, the number of dogs being stolen and the despicable way they are taken is disgusting. Stay safe everyone 👍
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They’d not get my sticks!
People like this must be stupid.Why arrange to meet someone in what is frankly one of the worst areas of Sheffield!Never take your dogs or pups to a meeting point!
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-england-south-yorkshire-56296650
Absolutely agree and to be quite blunt, they deserve what they get! What honest, reputable breeder would agree to sell pups in this way? Its pretty obvious that they‘re all part and party to this atrocious trade. The poor dogs don‘t stand a chance, it breaks my heart!
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I’m very cautious about walking the puppy too, I’ve read so many dog theft stories throughout the UK. I’ve considered a heavy walking stick but like other’s have said unless you’re 100% confident that you’re not going to be disarmed it’s safer to not have a heavy object with you.
I’m going to a secure field owned by an independent pet store, £2.00 an hour and good for socialisation but shouldn’t be necessary in the first place.
I won’t write what I’d like to see happen to dog thieves. >:D
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I too feel anxious now when I take Maisie out. She is a very pretty dog and I am not really physically fit enough to fend a man off nowadays. I do walk her with various friends at times but generally I am on my own with her. There is a very beautiful walk almost from my door, through countryside, with a smallholding on route which has baby lambs amongst other animals at the moment. I just drink in the lovely atmosphere and because I don't drive this is my little shot of the countryside. Latterly I only take this route at weekends now when there are a lot more local people out for a walk. What an awful world we live in. Stay safe everyone.
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https://youtu.be/Ro5T40km1lc
This is a useful video from a guy who traces stolen dogs, some good tips about protecting your dog.
Lesley