When returning home and expecting to see a package she had ordered, one woman was stunned to find out why it was missing from her porch.
Thanks to a video security camera, Isabel was able to observe the moment her parcel disappeared—and catch the culprit too.
In the video filmed in El Paso, Texas, in February 2024, the furry thief was caught red-pawed as the video captured how the neighbor's dog snatched a package from the front door.
Recorded on a Ring Floodlight Camera, it showed the fluffy puppy as it nonchalantly trotted to the doorstep, snatched the package, and made an escape.
Submitted by Isabel, who said she found the video both comical and cute, the Ring footage is the latest in a long line of animal antics caught on camera.
Isabel revealed that the dog regularly hangs out around her neighborhood. She found her package a little dirty but unharmed, and thought it was so cute and funny to see the dog pick it up.
In 2021, another dog was seen hilariously trying to steal a package from outside a neighbor's home, while more unusual thieves include a squirrel in Chicago and a bear that snatched a package of toilet roll from outside a home in Connecticut.
While this endearing theft prompted smiles, not all package losses are so entertaining.
Package Theft Facts
According to a 2023 report from InsuranceQuotes.com, 24 percent of Americans have fallen victim to package theft, with stolen parcels valued at around $50 on average.
Another study conducted by Security.org in October 2023 revealed more alarming facts.
Of 1,004 American adults surveyed, 17 percent reported having a package stolen in the past three months alone, amounting to a staggering 44 million individuals. The collective value of merchandise pilfered by package thieves exceeded $8 billion over the course of a year.
A majority of adults (88 percent) expressed worries about the safety of their deliveries, with more than a quarter saying that they feel "extremely" or "very" concerned about package theft.
Despite these concerns, 18 percent of online shoppers admit to taking no precautions to safeguard their parcels, while fewer than one in seven package thefts are reported to police.
Last month, a New York woman set up a trap for a package thief in her area.
Quitara Davis filled an empty box with messages guaranteed to leave the thief feeling uncomfortable, including a note that said: "I know you package stealer," and "I have a photo of your face and know where you live."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Update 04/03/24, 2:30 a.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Alice Gibbs is a Newsweek Senior Internet Trends & Culture Reporter based in the U.K. For the last two years ... Read more
