The emotional anguish experienced by dog owners whose pets have been stolen has been laid bare in a recent study, and the findings are heart-wrenching. Dog theft, a crime witnessing a staggering rise, is not just the stealing of property; it is an act that inflicts profound psychological trauma on the owners, akin to the loss of a close human relative or even a child. The study, pivotal in shining a light on this form of disenfranchised grief, was published in the journal Animal-Human Interactions and provides a stark account of the bereavement dog owners endure.
In an era where pet theft is on the incline, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic-induced loneliness and the soaring demand for specific breeds, the implications are immense. Reports of dog theft climbed by over 20% annually in the United States since 2021, according to the American Kennel Club. Meanwhile, in the UK, over 2,000 reports of dogs stolen marked a 250% increase in dog theft pre-pandemic, amplifying the urgency to understand and address the resulting human suffering.
Researchers Akaanksha Venkatramanan and Dr. Lindsey Roberts spearheaded the investigation into the psychological impact of such thefts. Their study encompassed 250 UK dog owners who had experienced the theft of their pets within the last five years. It employed a plethora of psychological scales and bespoke questionnaires designed to capture the nuanced emotions and stress associated with this type of loss, revealing that the emotional responses elicited by dog theft were strikingly similar to those experienced following the death of a loved one.
Dr. Roberts, of the University of the West of England (UWE), remarked on the complex layers of emotion that dog theft evokes, stating, “People who have had their dogs stolen go through so many emotions. Initially, there is disbelief and a sense that their dog must have followed a scent somewhere and become lost by accident. However, for some people, their dogs were stolen from their homes when the house was locked, meaning their properties were violated as well as their closest companions stolen.”
As part of their coping mechanism, dog owners often turn to social media platforms, akin to families of missing persons, to continue the search for their stolen companions. This form of resilience is notable, yet the study underscores the necessity for more robust psychological and legal support for those afflicted. Dr. Roberts and her colleagues have developed the “Dog Theft Impact Scale (DTIS)” to assess and support individuals grappling with the fallout of dog theft.
Dr. Roberts’ emphatic call for dogs and companion animals to be regarded as sentient beings, rather than mere property, resonates strongly.“I would like to advocate for dogs and other companion animals to be seen as the sentient animals that they are not property that does not live, breathe, feel, or have a central nervous system! The difference between a stolen bike versus a stolen cocker spaniel is enormous!”
Relevant articles:
– Dog Theft Triggers Grief Akin to Losing a Child, Study Finds, ScienceBlog.com
– Emotional toll of stolen dogs mirrors loss of loved one, ZME Science
– Dog Theft Trauma Comparable to Losing Child, Study Shows, Mirage News
– Grief and bereavement issues and the loss of a companion animal: People living with a companion animal, owners of livestock, and animal support workers, Academia.edu