French bulldogs too popular for their own just right? Thieves don’t think so

Michael Reynoso had dreamed of at the present time for the reason that second he’d introduced Frankie house.

The French bulldog pet — the primary puppy Reynoso had ever had, if you happen to don’t rely a goldfish when he was once six — had finished all his photographs and was once in a position to make his debut within the out of doors international. So on Aug. three, the Fremont gross sales technician deliberate to take Frankie to paintings to satisfy his colleagues, who have been placing on each tale in regards to the personality-plus puppy.

All that pleasure and anticipation grew to become to concern and anguish, alternatively, when Reynoso stopped at a 7-11 to shop for espresso for his co-workers at Five:30 a.m. Pausing to transport the espresso cups to the automobile, he set the Five-month-old pet down. Moments later, Frankie had disappeared with no hint.

What took place subsequent is a decision that Bay Area police are answering so much nowadays. Frankie is considered one of 5 French bulldogs dognapped ultimate month by myself in a pattern that has escalated during the last few years. French bulldogs aren’t the one breed stolen, in fact, however their reputation with canine fans and thieves alike is unequalled.

Frankie, a “golden” Frenchie – so-called for his tawny brown colour – was once the primary canine taken in August. Every week later, 3 Frenchies had been stolen all through a Mountain View house break-in. On Aug. 13, a 14-year-old boy was once strolling his Frenchie in Oakland, when the canine was once taken at gunpoint. And previous this yr, police in Oakland, Santa Clara and Berkeley investigated French bulldog thefts, too.

Frenchies, as they’re known as, constitute “a lot of dog in a little package,” says Brandi Hunter Munden, the American Kennel Club’s communications vp, explaining the breed’s reputation. “They are very smart and adaptable. While they do need a bit of training, they are really great companions.”

The breed, which is popular for its smaller measurement, originated in England and was once imported to France, the place it advanced its beguiling characteristics. And that diminutive measurement makes them particularly appreciated amongst condo dwellers who would possibly like an American or English bulldog, however don’t have the room the ones higher bulldogs require.

Several different small canine breeds or even higher ones, akin to Labrador retrievers, were focused by way of thieves, however the resale price of canine at the black marketplace has made the Frenchie an excellent larger goal.

French bulldog fans regularly pay as much as $7,000 for a purebred puppy, partially as a result of their shortage. Frenchies’ muddle sizes have a tendency to be small, with two to 4 doggies according to muddle, versus a Lab’s 5 to 10. And whilst rescue shelters are stuffed with Chihuahuas and pit bulls, it’s uncommon to discover a French bulldog up for adoption.

The sheer quantity of new thefts has made French bulldog homeowners leery of strolling their canine and sharing their cuteness on Facebook and Instagram. Munden suggests homeowners watch out in how they use social media. Don’t over-share your canine, she says, and don’t tag your location in posts.

“Thieves pay a lot of attention to social media,” she says. And homeowners and their #frenchielife and #frenchiesofinstagram hashtags could make it more straightforward for the ones canine to be discovered.

But some thefts are merely crimes of alternative – together with ultimate yr’s high-profile attack in Hollywood, when two of Lady Gaga’s French bulldogs had been stolen. The canine had been recovered, the canine walker – shot by way of one of the most assailants all through the battle – survived, and 5 other folks had been later arrested. Los Angeles police say the thieves hadn’t identified the canine belonged to the singer; they simply grabbed the canine to promote them.

Frankie additionally seems to were a sufferer of happenstance, says Diana Allen, senior group provider officer and crime scene investigator for the Fremont Police Department. Someone sought after the lovable little canine for themselves.

Reynoso and his circle of relatives had been beaten by way of the robbery.

“It was a heartbreaking day for us,” Reynoso says. “We were running in circles, trying to make sense of it. All we knew is that our hearts were gone that day.”

But Reynoso was once one of the most fortunate ones. Fremont police had been in a position to trace Frankie down inside two weeks and go back him, none the more severe for put on. Police are proceeding to research the robbery.

His brush with dropping Frankie has made him somewhat extra wary, Reynoso says, even though the enjoyment of sharing his canine with others is vital to him. Frankie now has a microchip, and Reynoso is doing the other of preserving a low profile.

Police and Frankie’s vet, Reynoso says, informed him to ensure that a large number of other folks see Frankie and acknowledge him locally, so if he’s stolen once more, he’ll be extra simply noticed.

Others, alternatively, are converting their on-line profiles and restricting who can view their lovable pet photos, in addition to decreasing the quantity of outside tours.

“I’ve heard that their owners are afraid to even take their dogs for walks,” Allen says. “I think that’s sad for the dogs.”