Yes, dog theft is on the increase and they often pinch them not to sell them on but to demand ransoms out of their owners by threatening to kill or torture the dog. Such sickos, they need stringing up. Still, if it was that, you would probably have heard from them by now so hopefully, it isn't.

I'd make a point of having your back yard more secure. Put locks on any gates and make sure they are high enough so that a dog can't be picked up and carried over them.

When our Mist went missing, the couple who found her saw a poster we put up in a petrol station and phoned us. Fortunately, we'd already got her back anyway but we invited them round and I bought them a box of chocolates for rescuing her to start with otherwise anything could have happened to her. They stayed at our house and we all chatted for a while and I let Jess and Mist in so they could see Mist again because they fell in love with her when they found her and told the police they'd have her if they didn't find her owners. She just laid on the guys knee and let him stroke her belly the whole time, lol.