
DATE: Thursday, March 20, 1997              TAG: 9703190126

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 16   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:   92 lines

IF YOU'RE THE OWNER OF A DOBERMAN OR PIT

If you're the owner of a Doberman or pit bull, the issue of pet theft may have crossed your mind. But if Fido or Spot is a less ``macho'' breed, or even a poodle or ``Heinz 57'' variety mutt, dog-napping is something you need to be concerned about.

That's a warning from Mark Kumpf, the senior humane officer at Norfolk's Animal Protection Unit, and Kristen Combs, education director for the Norfolk Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

According to Kumpf, in less than a year there has been an almost tenfold increase in the number of lost or stolen dog reports.

``We're probably averaging around 20 to 25 per month,'' says Kumpf. ``It used to be two or three reports a month. That's a jump since last summer.''

Kumpf believes the majority are stolen. In many cases, he says, the perpetrators are juveniles.

``Juveniles are definitely into it,'' he explains. ``The penalties are low if they're caught and it's a status thing, to steal the meanest dog on the block. We've stopped juveniles who have picked up a pack of hot dogs at the corner market, with a `five-finger discount,' and go through neighborhoods collecting dogs.''

In one recent case, according to Kumpf, the apprehension of one young man cleared up all the reported dog thefts in the Five Points area of the city.

The boy put two of the dogs in a vacant house, says Kumpf. The landlord called Animal Protection, which staked out the property until the boy showed up. He ended up charged with five felony thefts and, according to Kumpf, Animal Protection was able to clear out the rest of the missing dog reports as well.

``If you beat and kill a dog,'' sighs Kumpf, ``it's a misdemeanor. But if you steal a dog, it's a felony. You figure it out. Most people don't know, though, that dog theft is a felony. We prosecute everyone we catch, but the courts don't look on it like stealing a car. It's a `victimless' crime, so it's not a high priority for investigators. We have few resources.''

Kumpf believes most of stolen dogs are used for dog fighting, an illegal activity associated with equally illegal gambling on the outcomes.

``They're used for dog fights,'' he says. ``There are no particular types that are used. They'll throw any kind of dog in with the ones that fight, to make the fighters more aggressive.''

The SPCA's Combs cites another factor behind many thefts of companion animals. The most profitable reason to steal a pet, she says, is for sale to research laboratories.

``Many animals are stolen for research,'' says Combs, ``because it is a nice little income source for people who don't feel love and respect for animals.''

According to Combs, a dog can command as much as $700 and a cat, $300. She cites figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture showing over 100,000 dogs and cats used in animal research last year, and believes the actual number to be much higher. There are, she points out, numerous animal experimentation facilities in Virginia and North Carolina.

Class ``B'' dealers, licensed by the USDA, and ``bunchers,'' or unlicensed dealers, keep them supplied with animals that may, according to Combs, include stolen pets.

Tattooing is one way to minimize the likelihood of having a pet stolen, says Combs. The National Dog Registry is the largest and most well-known service, claiming a return-to-owner rate that is ``substantially higher than 95 percent,'' Combs says.

Neither Class ``B'' dealers nor research labs will knowingly traffic in tattooed animals, according to Combs.

``It's convinced me to tattoo my dogs and cats,'' says Combs, ``and I always keep collars and tags on them at all times. It is very important to identify your pet in numerous ways, to lower the chance of having your animal stolen.''

The National Registry can be reached by calling 1-800-637-3647. The local representative is Ellen Alexander, at 461-5405.

If you think your pet has been stolen, Combs recommends filing a police report immediately. Try to determine if there has been a rash of missing animals in your area, she suggests. Local animal shelters can provide a list of class ``B'' dealers or you can contact the USDA. The longer you wait, says Combs, the tougher it becomes to trace a missing animal. MEMO: Source: Norfolk SPCA ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

PROTECT YOUR PET

Here are some tips on how you can protect your pet from theft:

Keep your animals indoors, especially when you are not at home.

Properly identify your pet by tattoo on the abdomen and have it

listed with a registry service.

Always keep collars and tags on both dogs and cats.

Keep a recent photo and written description of your pet, for

identification in case of disappearance.

Be aware of strangers in the neighborhood.

Make sure your pet is in the house when service people are

scheduled to visit.

Padlock your gate.