[Semaphore Heathcliffe]

Dead giveaway is multiple "missing pet" notices in neighborhoods that have good fences and no noticeable strays running around. I've been suspecting for several years that the animals around here are being stolen for one reason or another. Too many notices for no visible strays.

Coincidentally, the rise in missing dogs came along at the same time gang tags began sprouting all over every possible surface around here.

[vetvetdoug]

There is a correlation between the incidence of gang related violence and the increase in dog-fighting IMHO. I started noticing missing pets increasing when there became an increase in the numbers of minority drug dealers and addicts. This has been going on for greater than four years in this area. Mentioning it to the Police Department or Sheriff's department will be at one's peril. This act of stealing pets for "bait" is commonplace. Profiling and law enforcement will be the only way to break the cycle.