The experiences and needs of dog-‘owners’ affected by dog-theft

Abstract Objectives: Pet ‘ownership’ is empirically evidenced to improve mental and physical health, with research suggesting an anthropomorphic bond between ‘owners’ and dogs that equal familial relationships, including children. However, bereavement of dogs, and especially dog-theft, garner scarce interest, leaving a huge population to suffer disenfranchised grief unsupported. This study aims to validate the overlap of emotional value in familial and ‘owner’-dog relationships, and grief between dog-theft victims and those with missing loved ones. The study explores the needs of guardians suffering ambiguous loss, how they cope with it, and the role of social media in this process, to grow existing literature on the topic and guide psychological support resources. Design: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted, and secondary data was collected from participants’ Facebook and Instagram posts. Methods: Four primary caregivers for their dog who had experienced dog-theft were recruited through social media. Hour-long interviews were conducted over Teams and social media posts were collated post informed consent. Audio recordings were transcribed, and primary and secondary data were separately analysed through a critical-realist onto-epistemological approach, using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Five superordinate themes from primary data, and two from secondary were extracted that evidenced an anthropomorphic relationship and associated intensity of grief among victims of dog-theft. Correlations were found between grief and coping with missing loved ones and dogs, and additionally feelings of disenfranchisement. Social media is reported as safe and popular for expressing and processing complex emotions. Conclusions: Dog-theft is traumatic for guardians and causes suffering without knowledgeable support. Psychological research should aim to inform best-practice resources providing suitable help managing grief, social disenfranchisement, and other psychological or physiological consequences of this trauma.