Dognapping for cash, or hotpots

Beijing dog owners have accused gangs of professional dognappers of stealing their pets for money.

A number of residents in different downtown districts have alleged that their dogs were stolen, and they were subsequently asked for large sums of money to return their pets.

A man surnamed Zhang, who lives in Houxiandaicheng in Chaoyang district, lost his Golden Retriever named Lele on March 5. After talking to neighbors, he learned that many of them had paid cash to get their stolen pets back.

Zhang posted notices on March 9, saying he would pay 2,000 yuan ($316.2) to anyone who returned his pet. The next day, he was contacted by a person asking for 10,000 yuan for his dog.

"We told him we could only afford 2,000 yuan, but the person, who was very rude, said it was not enough," Zhang's girlfriend said.

On Saturday, Zhang met with the alleged dognapper, but he also called police, who helped him get his dog back for free.

Another dog owner living in Haidian district, surnamed Xiao, also said she was asked for several thousand yuan to return her lost dog. Xiao found her dog with the help of microbloggers, after she posted an appeal for information.

"I believe there are a group of people specializing in stealing dogs," Zhang's girlfriend said, saying that a number of people are involved when the dog is returned.

Another dog owner said dog hunters often work as unlicensed cab drivers.

"They have tools for hunting dogs in the trunk. Ordinary dogs are sold to restaurants while decent dogs will be kept for the reward money," the owner told the Beijing Times Monday.

Yesterday, a police officer at Shuangjing police station, near Houxiandaicheng, would not give details of their investigation.

"When walking dogs, residents should make sure dogs are on leash. It's the best way to keep dogs from being stolen," the officer said.