I have had a slew of emails and calls from people all over the Wood River Valley that are incredibly worried about the dogs that are being taken throughout southern Idaho. We are ALL worried for our own dogs, and angry that anyone would do these kinds of things.  All our dogs are at risk, whether we live in Twin Falls, Jerome and other neighboring areas, AND here in the Wood River Valley.  I think the Wood River Valley is probably the most vulnerable because many dog owners feel comfortable letting dogs have so many unsupervised freedoms and have felt safe about it especially in the local neighborhoods.

     There is still much speculation about what is happening to the dogs.  Ritual or Satanic sacrifices? Baits dogs for dog fighting rings?  Selling them to testing laboratories?  No one knows

      I have tried to come up with a list of things that we can all do to help stop this rampage.  Some may be more extreme than others. You will have to choose whatever you feel works for you.

1.      I think that EVERYONE should keep their dogs supervised at all times.  I think it is also important for us to consider our dogs in the Wood River Valley at risk!   DO NOT let your dogs roam free. 

2.      If you have fenced in yards, LOCK the gaits with padlocks. 

3.      If you take your dog with you in the car, LOCK the doors to the car. Especially, avoid taking your dogs to Twin Falls when you go shopping.

4.      Keep your dog safely locked inside the house when you are gone and not out in the yard.

5.      And, just like Neighborhood Watch programs do, neighborhoods should organize and meet with each other, and pay attention to strange vehicles, or unknown people approaching each others' yards and REPORT anything suspicious to the police.  Get license plate numbers and remember what the vehicle or person looks like!  Pull out your cell phone and take photos of suspicious vehicles!

6.       For those that are really concerned, it is also extremely easy to buy inexpensive, very small surveillance cameras that monitor your home perimeters/gates.  It is incredibly easy to set up.  Many homes that already have security systems in place can contact their security company and include your yard and gates in those systems.  If I owned a home security company, I'd be all over this with ideas for homeowner/dog owners! Technology is there and does NOT have to be expensive.  Catching dog-nappers on tape would be extremely helpful to police.

 7.   I'd personally would like to see more incentives for information leading to the arrests of these folks!!!   LET US BE PROACTIVE NOW instead of waiting until more dogs are taken!  Maybe we need to put together a reward fund, besides that which HSUS is doing?

8.   Be sure to take a current photo of your dog showing all sides and markings:  Front/head, each side and even from behind.  Make sure your dog is microchipped in the event s/he is found and someone can identify you as the owner.  If you need help with photos, please contact me.  I may be able to help you with that. 

     If anyone can think of more proactive things to do, please email me. I will send out updates to my client lists, and put it on my website.

     If we work together, we can put an end to this!  The fewer dogs that are off leash or loose and out of sight for any reason, the harder it will be for these bad-doers to take our dogs. If your dog is attached to you, they CANNOT take your dog.  They will then take more chances trying to get dogs and will then get caught!  Let’s WORK TOGETHER!