Posted on 11/22/2005 8:10:00 PM PST by kingattax
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese pet owners are howling over a spate of thefts of chihuahuas, the country's most popular dog thanks to a series of TV commercials that starred one of the cuddly Mexican canines.
The dog-nappings, from condominiums and houses across Tokyo over several months, show the dark side of a pet boom in Japan, where the number of dogs and cats exceeds the number of children.
So strong is demand for chihuahuas that supply can't keep up, allowing unscrupulous individuals a chance to collar part of the market.
Because there is no official system to record their origins, the loveable lapdogs are much easier to sell than stolen jewels and, with a price tag of some $2,000 (1,200 pounds). almost as enticing.
One victim, Daisuke Kiuchi, took a month to get over the theft of his chihuahua, Michelle, in June.
"I kept thinking that if I called, the dog would appear from somewhere in the house," said the 27-year-old Tokyo resident. "My wife stopped work and went back to her mother's because of the shock."
Kiuchi's Web site, dedicated to getting Michelle back, has been flooded with condolences and advice. "Unforgiveable," opined several contributors. "Stealing a dog is the same as kidnapping a person," said another.
"Have you tried a private detective?" one offered.
The site also has links to pleas for the return of Tink and Koyuki, two other recently pilfered pooches, as well as a message of hope from the owner of Beckham, found earlier this month dumped miles from his home in the north of the city.
A Tokyo Metropolitan Police spokesman couldn't provide information on the thefts or whether there were any leads.
Besides, you can never have too many chihuahuas.
I don't want to be callous here, but calling a Chihuahua a dog is like calling a White Castle a Porterhouse steak.
You shouldn't be able to lose a dog the window with a sneeze or accidentally squish it with a drinking glass. Or live in fear that it would mugged by a gang of field mice if ever it got, say, into nature as far as a lawn.
If you're going to get a rat, then get a rat, I say. A normal rat, not an animal that's had its brains reduced in size by more than half during the midgitization process. Jeez.
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