Moneybox: They Stole My Dog!

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moneybox They Stole My Dog! The American Kennel Club claims the recession has caused a dognapping crime wave. Is that true? By Annie Lowrey Posted Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011, at 4:32 PM ET Has the recession turned Americans into Cruella de Vils? Like an indignant Pekingese, the American Kennel Club is yapping about a supposed surge in dognapping. Since January, the AKC has received 224 reports of stolen pets, up from 150 the same time last year--an increase of 49 percent.* The pace of dog theft appears to be accelerating: 162 dogs were reported stolen in the entirety of 2009, up from 71 in 2008 and just a handful in 2007. "According to the database, I see two trends," says AKC spokeswoman Lisa Peterson, an owner and breeder of Norwegian elkhounds. "People are taking smaller dogs, like Yorkshire terriers, Pomeranians, and toy poodles. They're easier to take, and very popular." She continues: "Then, big dogs, a lot of pit bulls. Puppies are very popular too," she notes. "They're cute and adorable and people can't resist them." To continue reading, click here. Annie Lowrey reports on economics and business for Slate. Previously, she worked as a staff writer for the Washington Independent and on the editorial staffs of Foreign Policy and The New Yorker. Her e-mail is annie.lowrey@slate.com. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES Also In Slate How the New Web Address System Will Confuse Users and Hurt Business There Are Four New TV Shows About Identical Twins Don't Believe Hollywood: Chimps Will Never Have the Brain Power of Humans	Advertisement
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