It's hard to get exact national numbers for stolen dogs in Australia, but reports show thousands of incidents annually, with figures like 333 in QLD (2023), 190 in NSW (pet/bird), and 280 in VIC (pets) reported, while experts estimate over 300 pets stolen yearly in Victoria alone, often popular breeds for quick resale, indicating a significant, rising trend.
Unfortunately, pet theft is on the rise. About two million dogs are stolen here in the United States every year. That is a pretty heartbreaking—and staggering—statistic. Even worse, only one in ten of those stolen pups is returned to their human parents.
Dog-related Injuries: Hospitalisation in numbers. Did you know that approximately 100,000 dog bites are reported in Australia annually? This comes as no surprise, as dog-related injuries are also prevalent worldwide. In fact, 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year in the United States.
The most stolen items in Australia vary by location, but liquor (especially spirits) tops retail theft lists, while cash, electronics (phones, laptops), and jewelry are top targets in home burglaries, with bikes and car parts like wheels/tyres also popular. In retail, thieves often target high-margin goods like alcohol and cosmetics, while "daigou" resellers drive theft of items like baby formula.
1. French Bulldog. French Bulldogs have become incredibly popular in the last few years, rising to first place on the AKC's most popular dog breeds list. They are having a fashion moment, and this trendy status is partly why they are so high on our list of breeds most likely to be stolen.
A Pit Bull's average bite strength is about 235 pounds per square inch (psi), and they make the top of the list for the highest number of fatal bites.
The 3-3-3 rule is a roadmap for the first three days, three weeks, and three months after pet adoption. It emphasizes patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement to help pets acclimate to their new environment.
The most common crimes in Australia include theft, assault, and property damage. According to recent Australian crime statistics, property-related offences like break-ins and motor vehicle theft remain prevalent, while cybercrime and domestic violence are increasingly reported.
1. Cash. Cash is always on the top of burglars' wish list. Unlike other most commonly stolen items that need to be resold in pawn shops or on the street, cash can be used directly and quickly without any conspicuous.
The most significantly underreported crime in Australia is sexual assault and sexual violence, with vast discrepancies between survey data (revealing millions of incidents) and police-recorded statistics (showing far fewer reports) due to high fear, shame, and perceived lack of support, making it a hidden epidemic despite increasing awareness. Domestic and family violence is also highly underreported, often linked to power dynamics and fear, while child sexual abuse remains a critical hidden issue.
Australia's largest extant predator is the dingo C. lupus dingo. There is observational evidence that where dingoes are locally abundant, foxes and cats are rare (Newsome 2001; Glen & Dickman 2005).
Dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) is now Australia's leading cause of death, closely followed by Ischaemic Heart Disease, with the two causes often switching places depending on the specific year and data source, reflecting an aging population and improved heart disease management. Other major causes consistently ranking in the top five include Cerebrovascular Disease (like stroke) and Lung Cancer, with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) also significant.
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The most commonly surrendered dog type is the "pit bull type" (including mixes), often due to negative stereotypes, breed-specific legislation, and high energy levels, followed by other popular breeds like German Shepherds, Huskies, and Labrador Retrievers that may not fit owner lifestyles. Breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers (especially mixes) also top surrender lists in some regions like Australia.
An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.
Advice to protect your dog from theft
The items most frequently stolen during residential break-ins include:
While pets can sometimes be the target of thieves and robbers, livestock was the least common category of stolen items, according to the UCR data.
Definitely one of the more surprising facts, the most stolen food in the world is, in fact, cheese. Around 4% of ALL the cheese made in the world gets stolen. There's even a black market of stolen cheeses, but...
Canberra, the capital city of Australia, is considered the safest city. According to Numbeo, its safety index is 73.6, which is higher than other cities in Australia. It also ranked as the 49th safest city in global rankings.
Rockhampton. Rockhampton is the most dangerous city in Australia. According to the reports, it has a crime index of 67.2, which is one of the major contributors to the country's higher rate. It has a crime rate of 132 per 1000 people, with most of the cases for theft, burglary, and assault.
Homicide rate: Australia's homicide rate hovers around 0.8 per 100,000 people, compared to the U.S. rate of approximately 6 per 100,000. Property crime: Both countries experience property crime, but Australia's rates are generally lower, and violent property crimes (like armed burglary) are less common.
The seven second rule. Put the back of your hand on the pavement. If you cannot hold it for seven seconds, it is too hot to walk for your dogs. This rule also applies to dogs riding in the bed of a pickup truck.
Place the back of your hand on the pavement. If you can't keep it there for five seconds, it's too hot to walk your dog. If you didn't know about this rule, chances are your friends don't, either.