being broken into

I wish you were able to set a few booby traps that your pets couldn't get to. This reminds me of some of those Charles Bronson movies, he was great at setting traps in his apartment while he was away - things like boards with nails in them for when the burglar breaks in. Creeps were always trying to get to Bronson.

How horrible for you!!! My mom's house was broken into on Christmas day several years ago. We were out, and they cut a neat opening in the front window. However, they were very neat, didn't even knock over the Christmas tree! Took some money I had sitting upstairs on the desk, took a drawer out of my mom's jewelry box, and I guess just left. She was lucky, cos they didn't destroy anything, and really didn't take a lot. Thank God her insurance reimbursed her for everything she claimed. She had a dog too, and thank God they didn't hurt him. I know what you mean about worrying about your pets. Right after that she got an alarm system. It was bad enough she got robbed, but it happend 2 months after she had open heart surgery!!! Get an alarm system, if you can...good luck to you...

I can understand your frustration, and your concern for your pets. Burglars are breaking the law, and if caught, face serious charges. Do you really think a person burgling your flat would take time to harass your pets? These people are often addicts in need of money, or valuables, to support their habit. There is a very good chance your pets will remain unmolested.

Yikes! That is very scary! Do you know how they broke in? If you know how they got in, then maybe you could reinforce that area so it can't be broken into again. You could also try and get some sort of security alarm. That might help prevent future break ins.

I'm sorry this happened to you, jb. I know first hand how it feels to have your home violated by a stranger because our house was broken into many years ago. My advice to you would be to secure your flat as best you can. If you can't put locks on the windows you can use a nail inside of the frame to keep it from being opened from the outside. You can probably find diagrams online on how to do this. If it's at all possible you should get a deadbolt lock to add to the lock you already have on your door(s). If you don't already know your neighbors you should get to know them and try to get everyone into the habit of listening and watching out for each other. Good luck to you.

Wow, I'm sorry that happened, it must be very upsetting! Thank goodness he didn't get in! I don't know what your finances are like, but in addition to the other suggests posted here, if you can afford it I recommend getting an alarm system, preferably the kind that calls the cops automatically in the event of another break in attempt. Another thing you may want to consider is a security camera pointed at your door form the inside, then you can see whoever it is that gets in and make it easier for the cops to catch them. It needn't be expensive, they make cheap ones, just make sure it is wired to transmit info to some other location like a VCR or computer in case he takes the camera, you'll still have the pics! I'd be worried about my pets too, even though a thief will not likely have any interest in them, the thought of them being helpless and at the mercy of some criminal would deeply upset me as well. Good Luck, I hope you never have to deal with such a personal invasion or attempted invasion again.

It happened quite a few times in our first house. The police recommended that we get a dog. We also got an alarm. It was really pretty awful having somebody come in and go through our things. Glad they didn't get in and do any harm this time. No fun when that happens at all.

Quite a few years back I moved up to Sheffield to live with my girlfriend who was at University up there. One day having finished work and picked her up we returned to our rented flat to find it had been broken into and several items had been stolen. To say it caused distress is not the word for it and as it was a rented groundfloor flat we contacted the landlord and she found us another flat which was not on the groundfloor as we didn't want it to happen again. Sad to say, a few weeks later after having returned down south to spend Christams with our families we returned to find the locks on our flat had been changed and we had been broken into again. That was enough for us and my then girlfriend decided to relocate her studies closer to home and we returned to live down south immediately. I can really sympathise with you and the only thing I can say is burglaries do happen and other than making sure your property is secure as possible there isn't much you can do to prevent it happening again. The other thing is that unless your pets are obviously worth good money the chances are a burgular won't give them a second glance.

If you have two doors try to put a folded ironing board up against the door that is easier to get in through,with anyluck it will make such a noise it will frighten them off.Leave the tv on ask a neibour to keep a look out.I have never had this happen to me I do hope these tips help .Also you could put a dummy in the window or a card board cut out with the music as well ,not many burglars would risk that.