Mê Thú Cưng - Pet Magazine for Vietnam Số 2 | Issue Two | Page 16

Mê Thú Cưng

Hướng dẫn Quyền chủ thú cưng 14 21

Definitive EXPATS Pet Owners Guide for Vietnam
Much too many dog-nappings happening in Vietnam. Expat
dog owners MUST become aware of the potential threat to your
dog, and here is how to protect your dog, and what to do when it
happens.

Every week at Me Thu Cung we hear about

another horrible story of a dog owner having
their dog stolen. Personally, I have seen too
many depressing video’s of dog-napping
online and I am still astonished at the speed,
organization, and just this brazen act of theft
in public and in broad daylight! Sometimes
the outcome of the theft is glorious; you get
your dog, traumatized, but safe in your arms.
Others, the outcome is dire and completely
heart-wrenching. It is not just Expat dog
owners, Vietnamese dog owners are having
their dogs taken away not just from the cities
but also in the countryside. Most readers have
heard of the gruesome ‘mob lynching’s’ of dog
thief’s in rural areas. People are taking a stand
against this ruthless kidnapping, and so can
you.
Lucrative rewards for Dog-nappers in
Vietnam
There are big rewards for this type of theft,
the thieves are either supplying the demands
of dog meat consumption or selling dogs to
others who do not care where they get their
dog from, as long it is the right price. Nobody
asks any questions of the origins, health or
breed of the dog, for either consumption or as
a pet.

Constantly Vigilant. Always of your Dog.
We do not want you to feel paranoid, on the
other hand, maybe we should. Do not be
mistaken that there is a randomness of dognapping, or keeping the attitude it will only
happen to others. Dog-nappings in major
cities are well organized and planned. They
are probably stalking and watching you now,
especially if you own an expensive breed of
dog. They’re waiting for that time when you
lose control of your dog for a spilt second; the
dog bolts from the house out the gate offleash, or you are distracted by a combination
of noise, blinding heat and temporary chaos
that sometimes happens here(we all now that
feeling). Or you are’ swarmed ‘and distracted
on the street and they steal your dog. Be
vigilante of your dog at all time. Always, leash
the dog before you open your front gate of your
house – never forget. NEVER assume that a
few minutes of free rump and roam outside
around the surroundings of the house is good
for them. They could run around a blind corner
and you never see them again. It happens that
fast.

What to do if your dog goes missing
It has happened. No time for denial, blame or
soul searching. Get proactive, ASAP. First, go
online to the Facebook groups Dog Owners
of Saigon (over 500 members and growing),
The most lucrative incentive for people taking
or Dog Owners of Hanoii (depnding on where
your dog is hold them for ransom. And ransom
you live), and post your message with current
rises proportional to the pedigree of the breed
photos of your dog. Members will respond
. If your dog has been judged an expensive
and become aware and will spread the word.
breed they will try to sell you back your dog, or
Second, make up some posters not so much
sell to a third party: whoever will take the dog
for your area, big chances the dog has been
off their hands, and money is made. It is done
taken out of your neighbourhood quickly. Go
quickly and you must become aware of this if
with your recent photo of your dog and bring
your dog is stolen.
ransom money (5 to 10 million VND) to the
pet trade retail area that buy kidnapped dogs.
The dog-nappers are not very nice people and
No time to make judgment of the people, be
you should avoid direct confrontation. They are
calm, clear your head, and be assertive. Do not
part of, or work for gangs and mafia, they are
go alone, and always bring a translator, there
usually armed with knifes, or worst. If you do
are very good chances that your dog is here
confront them directly approach with extreme
in this area. Search the area thoroughly for a
caution. Don’t be a hero or you and your dog
few days immediately after the theft. The area
could suffer serious consequences as they see
is in District 10 and on Lê Hồng Phong Street.
stealing your dog as easy money.
Hopefully, you can somehow get your doggy
back.
14 Số 02 | Tháng Ba + Tư 2014 | petmagazine.vn
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