A worried pet owner who found mysterious blue stickers outside her home has warned it may be thieves trying to snatch dogs from their loving owners.
The small stickers have been appearing outside homes with dogs in them in the Merseyside area, with many fearing it's a way for ill-intentioned people to steal sometimes very expensive pooches.
Concerned dog owners have been sharing their own warnings on social media groups and urging dog owners across the UK to stay alert, WalesOnline reports.
One worried dog owner, who claims to have he found a blue sticker attached to her door, said: "Woke up to this on my door this morning.
"Never had anything like it before. I've obviously posted on the Crimewatch group only for head up to pet owners and to see if anyone has had similar.
"I've had a few sarcastic comments but as I've said I'm not usually one for all this but just find it a bit odd."
The dog owner says the small blue sticker was 'freshly stuck' and believes the colour indicates she has male dogs.
She added: "Both my dogs are male, one being worth a lot of money. Just wanted to let people know here in case is something to be concerned about."
How to protect your dog from being stolen
TeamDogs has published a full guide on how to protect your dog from being stolen.
Some tips include:
Make sure your dog is microchipped, and your details are up to date on the approved database.
Your dog should always wear a collar with your details on the tag when out and about.
Be careful with who you leave your dog with and who approaches your dog out on a walk.
If you let your dog off the lead, make sure you are confident in their recall abilities.
Secure your garden and any gates or entrance ways, both from people entering and your dog escaping.
Do not leave your dog unattended, for example, alone in a car or tied up outside a shop.
The woman has now installed CCTV cameras outside her property as a precautionary measure.
However, she is not the only one who has found a sticker outside their homes in recent days, as others have reported similar happenings in the Birkenhead area in particular.
She said: "I really just wanted to let people know before it's too late. It's disgusting how we have to live.
"Luckily I have a dog who wouldn't let anyone a foot near the door but who's saying he wouldn't get poisoned or something?
"I know it's far fetched but it happens and for what my new pups worth, it's easy for them. This pup is worth more than everything in my home."
The Mirror reported last year how two quick-thinking girls stopped potential dog thieves in their area after finding the signs they used to steal the pets.
Sophie and her best mate Danielle, both 10, from Sutton in north Dublin spent hours cutting zip ties from their neighbours bins and front gates.
The plastic markers are used by gangs to identify properties that have dogs - with criminals also using chalk to signal whether the homeowner is elderly, lives alone, or has a house alarm
Police had previously warned householders to be wary of secret signs left outside their homes.
@nabob @Pinkaholic79 💖🦄🌺 @Flossy 🧁🧁 @Flotson @renatew5😺🐶 @harryflatters @roz @andym.aat @Paul - MenCanCleanToo @Bill Obermeyer @Tanith @Rustyfrog @Janet 💋🍰🍝🍹 and anyone else who maybe interested
Just ask for ID. They are required BY LAW to show it if asked.
I always talk to dogs. Only way I can get a sensible response; adoring look and total attentiveness.
Last week I was taking our Vinnie for a walk round the town and market when I spotted a man looking at him as I was walking past.
He was a stranger to the town, I don't know everyone but you can kind of tell if they don't belong if you know what I mean.
I think he was looking what sex he was, he's a neutered Patterdale terrier, quite a popular dog around here, it didn't feel right him staring at my dog, lots of people look at my dog but not like that, very uncomfortable. We were walking across the quiet part of a car park at the time with not many people about which made it worse
Told hubby when I got home and he said the man was probably just admiring him. I can't help wondering what would have happened if he hadn't been neutered or if he had been a girl dog.
It is worrying but along our road, there are quite a few dogs and the type and breed would frighten any potential dognapper. Usually, they go for the pedigree, cute and smaller breed. When it comes to bullmastiffs, Rottweiler, Boxers, Ridgeback and other large breeds, they would think twice. Good owners are very aware and alert and I have noticed that most owners now out for walks with their dogs in our park, have their darlings on long leads. We are not so much worried about the 'nappers' but more worried about the hidden rabbit snares hidden in the undergrowth by the local hooligans and another pain are the same hooligans racing about on stolen bikes, making the life of other park users a misery. Only last week the police had a large sting operation and nicked quite a few cretins and half a dozen bikes were confiscated and some had been previously stolen in the city centre. @Happygirl
@Pinkaholic79 💖🦄🌺 @nabob
Around Easter time my neighbour reported mounds of sawdust seeming to be outside dog owners homes. However, the police lady that responded said it was a
way of marking walks and trails arranged by social groups. She thanked Colin for his attention and didn't mind attending at all.
It's all getting out of hand now [@Happygirl], these ppl always come up with something new. Awful just awful!
Nothing is sacred anymore, we NEVER used to have this type of thing going on AT ALL.
These gangs have got to be stopped