HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Recently, there have been several high profile cases of French bulldog thefts. 

For dog owners, a French bulldog is an investment of thousands of dollars.

Sandy Briely, who is a French bulldog breeder and helps run Francoeur French Bulldogs with her family, said the cost of a French bulldog is so high because of the high demand.

“It is definitely a personal love. We love what we do and who could not love that? They are just so lovable, and they are adorable. They have great temperaments, great disposition. They’re easy to train, and they’re just remarkable,” said Briley.

They are also a target for criminals.

At Francoeur French Bulldogs, they take many precautions. First, the Moorpark property is behind a locked gate. Security cameras are always watching. Clients are screened, subjected to a background check, and asked to give a deposit before they are given the facility’s address. These are proactive measures because Briley and her sister Barbara Wilken have heard horror stories.

“Somebody that I got my first boy from was robbed at his home. He invited people over to see a puppy and they robbed him. They tied him and gagged him and took all their puppies away,” said Wilken. 

The American Kennel Club has been tracking stolen dog reports since 2007. Recently, they found a 31% increase. However, during the pandemic, there has been no known increase, and they think it is because more people are staying home.

Once taken, the odds are long that the dog will ever be returned.

“It breaks my heart. It just makes me think where the dog is. How is it being treated,” said Briley.

Francoeur French Bulldogs sell anywhere from $6,000 to $15,000.