Dog walkers van stolen

[Catherine]

When I first heard the story, the dogs were still missing. Now we know it has a happy ending we can relax and find out what happened.
A dog walker was dropping off a dog when she encountered a robber who took her van, dogs and all.
The word went out that a van full of dogs was stolen so everyone was watching for the vehicle. He couldn't go far with it.
The man had enough sense to abandon the van and leave the dogs unharmed.

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&...vvX2p7yfot

It must have been terrifying for the dog's owners and stressful for the dogs.
This is not the first time this has happened. A van full of dogs was taken in Toronto in 2016. Again, everyone was searching. 
The dogs were found unharmed.

I don't know what can be done to prevent things like this. Criminals should know by now not to touch a van full of dogs or a car with a child in it. Everyone will be watching for the vehicle. They can't go far without being spotted. People are motivated to call the police. An ordinary stolen car is on its own. Nobody cares except the owner. Once there is a dog involved it changes everything.
Maybe dog walker's vans need some level of security before the vehicle can be driven. Clearly locking the van and taking the key was not enough.