1. a person who steals a dog, especially for ransom or resale
Usage: informal; often used in news reports and crime contexts

Examples

• The dognapper was arrested after stealing three purebred puppies from a local breeder.
• Police warned residents to watch their pets after a dognapper was spotted in the neighborhood.
• The celebrity's beloved golden retriever was taken by a dognapper who demanded a large ransom.
• Security cameras helped identify the dognapper who had stolen several dogs over the past month.
• The dognapper was sentenced to jail time for the theft of multiple animals.