Dog owners are being urged to be on the alert amid fears thieves are marking properties so they can return and steal unattended pets.
The warning comes after a number of homes in Fife have been tagged with coloured cable ties in recent days.
It’s feared dog thieves are casing neighbourhoods so gang members can return and try to snatch valuable pets from their owners’ gardens.
The tactic has been used in other parts of the country, where it’s thought pets have been taken for the purpose of being sold on or used in dog-fighting.
One woman in Glenrothes, who did not want to be named, said her garden gate was marked some time between 10.30pm on Monday and 7am on Tuesday.
She is now terrified her beloved pets – a French bulldog and a pocket bulldog puppy – have been targeted by dog-nappers.
“The cable tie wasn’t there on Monday night,” she said.
“My puppy keeps trying to escape next door, so I stand in the garden with her every time she is outside. I would have noticed it before now if it was there before.
“I’ve heard of this happening before in Glenrothes a few times so I knew straight away when I saw it what it was.
“My back garden is very private but the cable tie was at a part of my garden that can be seen from the main road.”
The tactic of marking properties came to light several years ago, when Neighbourhood Watch groups south of the border issued leaflets about dog thieves leaving messages on gates, doors and pavements.
On that occasion, it was thought a pink marker indicated homes with a small dog, yellow denoted medium-sized dogs, and red highlighted the presence of a larger breed.
The issue re-emerged a few months ago in the Scottish Borders when residents in Selkirk reported people acting suspiciously in their communities and placing black cable ties around fences and gates where dogs were present.
Police Scotland investigated and found no evidence of criminality.
Anyone who is concerned about the incidents in Glenrothes is urged to contact officers on 101.
Bill Lambert, head of health and welfare at the Kennel Clu,b said: “Dog theft is devastating for families and their much-loved pets, so it’s really concerning to hear about these potential marking tactics being used by criminals.
“Unsecured homes and gardens can be a hot spot for dog thieves, so we recommend owners remain vigilant and ensure they take precautions to help keep dogs safe – including keeping their dog’s microchip details up to date, making sure their homes and properties are well secured, keeping their pet in sight and reporting any suspicious activities to the police.”
