The FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC), which tracks stolen property nationwide, currently lists 200 stolen dogs, according to Steve Fischer, FBI Spokesperson. According to Fischer, “Dogs listed in our database must have permanent owner-applied serial numbers, such as those from embedded microchips. Unfortunately not all dogs have permanent ID, so we know this is only a fraction of the number of missing dogs.”

Earlier this year, a bill was introduced in Texas which would have made it a state felony to steal a pet, including the family dog, with a possible two years in prison if convicted. California and Delaware have tried to regulate roadside pet sales as a way to combat the trafficking of stolen pets to unsuspecting consumers.

Keep your pet safe:

• Keep your dog leashed.
• Don’t leave your dog alone in the yard, in your car or tied up outside a store.
• Have your pet microchipped.

What to do in a worst-case scenario:

• Call the police.
• Search the neighborhood.
• Post fliers. (This is why it’s important to have a current photo of your pet!)

How can you curb pet theft:

• Don’t buy dogs from the Internet, flea markets or roadside vendors. (Better yet – ADOPT!)
• Use reputable breeders and adoption agencies.

Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll

There’s always so much to share – funny things they do, their health, their habits and how much they brighten our lives. NewsOK.com has created a place for all of us pet people: www.NewsOK.com/pets.

The Web page is part of our Know It series, a look at topics that affect our lives. All of our Know It pages include a wealth of information, including stories, videos and links to hundreds of helpful Web sites. The Pets page includes fun features like:

* Episodes of the Pet Show podcast, a weekly broadcast featuring guests from all parts of the animal world.
* The Dog House blog, powered by staff writers Carrie Coppernoll, Dawn Marks and Bryan Dean, who provide news, advice, health and training tips, and everything from the serious to the silly.
* The Part of the Family blog, written by Melissa Hayer, assistant news research editor, and Matt Strasen, staff photographer. Join the Web site discussion board, too – do you consider your pet a part of the family?

So stop by the site and enter the pet world. We hope you’ll find plenty more to talk about.

– Staff Writers, Carrie Coppernoll and Dawn Marks