Is Jesse James's dog Cinnabun missing again?

Last month's reunion between the Monster Garage star Jesse James and his missing pit bull Cinnabun made news all over the country. Cinnabun was AWOL for 3 weeks, prompting a Twitter and publicity blitz asking for the safe return of James's beloved pet. The dog was eventually returned by a local woman who received a $5,000 reward for her effort.

Now Home Again has released information that suggests Cinnabun is, once again, missing. On the heels of allegations of marital infidelity, and reports that James's wife, Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock, has moved out of their shared home, the microchip company has stated that a report that Cinnabun is missing was received. An email was released asking for help finding Cinnabun, who was last seen wearing an orange collar with her name and contact information on it.

Beyond the sordid details of this particular incident lies an altogether too common undertone. Some dogs are serial escape artists and some dog owners are repeat offenders when it comes to making sure their dogs are safely contained. This story is unusual in its implications, because of the recent separation of the two principal owners (suggesting, perhaps, that Cinnabun may have been taken by Bullock herself), and the celebrity of the dog and owners, which increase's the dogs chances of becoming a target of thieves.

Any dog can escape from its owners if it is improperly contained. Any dog can be stolen, and indeed dogs have been stolen in New Jersey on a number of occasions, especially show and purebreed dogs. Two years ago there was a spate of thefts of show dogs in NJ, including two corgis on their way to a show in Edison. Domestic disputes all too often involve not only the two disputing parties, but any children or pets in the family as well.

There are some actions we can take to improve the security of our pets. In addition to tips laid out in "Tips for keeping your dog safe this Spring" here are some ideas:

1) Make sure your pet has identification. Microchips are a great backup plan because they are not easily removed. Inner thigh or belly ID tattoos are often chosen for the same reason. A basic collar and tag combination remains the first line of identification because on sight people will recognize that a dog is owned and may be able to tell by whom from descriptions.

2) Make sure your pet is supervised and contained. Dogs love to romp off leash, but if your dog has terrible recall or high prey drive, you will need to keep a careful eye and good leash on him. Some dogs are NOT candidates for off leash play in public areas. A private dog run and securely fenced area can serve as a good alternative. Do not assume a fence will keep your dog safe, either. Watch your dog when he is outside and if you cannot supervise, bring the dog inside the house.

3) Train your dog to recognize its name, basic obedience, and to come when called. Work with a trainer if necessary because these very simple training commands can help save your dog's life in dangerous situations, such as may present themselves during an escape. A solid emergency sit has been known to keep a dog away from dangerous animals and high-speed traffic.

4) Do not leave your dog tied up outside of stores or inside of cars. Besides the danger of overheating in a car, your dogs may be stolen if the car is stolen, targeted for theft themselves, or otherwise come to harm. Tying a dog outside of a store makes him an easy target for thieves or well-meaning rescue samaritans, but also leaves your dog vulnerable to other dogs in the neighborhood and passersby.

5) If you suspect that your dog may become a victim of domestic violence, talk to a domestic violence advocate or shelter today. More and more shelters are starting to open to pets and families. Talk to your vet, boarding facilities, pet sitters, friends, and family, even rescues in your area. Someone of these pet services people may be able to help your dog get out of an unsafe situation and into a temporary but safe one.

6) Make sure you maintain records of your pet ownership. Registration papers, dog licenses, microchip papers, and veterinary records should be maintained in your name with up to date contact information. Contact the administrating agencies to ensure that your dog's paperwork is up to date and accurate. Keep copies together in a safe place. These papers can help prove ownership in the event of a dispute.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Take steps to keep your canine friend safe.

Local resources:

Academy Fence Company
www.academyfence.com

119 North Day Street
Orange, NJ 07050
(800) 427-0854

Canis Minor Newport
www.canisminor.net

31 River Drive South
Jersey City, NJ 07310
201-626-5545
newport@canisminor.net

Maxwell & Molly's Closet
www.maxwellandmollys.com

218 Spring Street
Newton, NJ 07860-2012
(973) 300-0101

Montclair Feed and Pet Supply
www.montclairfeed.com

191 Glenridge Ave.
Montclair NJ 07042
973-746-4799

New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women
www.njcbw.org

1670 Whitehorse-Hamilton Square Road
Trenton, NJ 08690-3541
Ph: (609) 584-8107

New Jersey Fence Company
www.newjerseyfence.com

32 Main St
Andover, NJ 07821-4515
(973) 729-2330

New Jersey Judiciary - Family Practice Division
Prevention of Domestic Violence
www.judiciary.state.nj.us/family/fam-06.htm

Quibu's Paws
www.quibuspaws.com

802 Pennington street
Elizabeth, NJ 07202

See the sidebar for recommended local dog trainers.

Follow me on Twitter for dog-related news, tips, and updates! @MGL_NewarkDogs
Become a fan on Facebook to participate in discussions, share photos, and more!

All text in this article is copyrighted and the sole possession of Melissa Garcia Logan, unless otherwise indicated. Available for reprint and/or publishing only with written permission from author. Contact Melissa Garcia Logan with your comments, suggestions, questions, and ideas.