How Much is that Doggie...

We were just discussing on the Help Line at work - the outbreak of stolen dogs in stolen cars around the Twin Cities. Is this a local trend here in MN? It seems our crime comes in bizarre waves. 

• A year ago it was drag racing and reckless driving in the city streets. Sort of reverting back to the road rumbles in Grease! 
• Then last spring there was a rise in car jackings. We had a neighbor two doors down that was kicked while entering her vehicle. It was found to be mostly delinquent school kids working the alleys in packs via South Minneapolis. 
• Over the last month - it has been stealing vehicles with either children or pets in them!

Yesterday it was a pet Monkey from a Target parking lot. In the last month there have been a handful that stole the car, did not realize the pet was in the back seat (??!!), then dropped the dog off on the steps of the Humane Society as a Stray. One case was stupid enough drop them off in the stolen vehicle; which was then reported to the police for arrest.

In most cases, they were unlocked cars. It boggles my mind that anyone in the metro would leave a car unlocked. Let alone, with a living creature inside. And worse yet, the ones that leave the keys in the ignition thinking "it will only be for a sec..."

Most places in Uptown are pet friendly enough that you can take you dog directly inside. Target, bookstores, any coffee shop patio, micro breweries and even a handful of restaurants. So why even consider leaving them in the back seat of the car?

For a cheery outlook, here are a handful of collected snapshots of cute puppies in shopping carts. No Dog Left Behind. * these images are not my own