An East Lothian woman has taken to Facebook to warn others that suspected dog thieves are currently active in her area, knocking on doors late at night and leaving chalk marks or other signs if dogs bark in response.
Cathy Mccue, from Dunbar, wrote:
"A wee heads up to dog owners out there, check your doorstep and path for any pebbles that shouldn't be there or marks on the path or pavement that weren't there yesterday.
"The knockers were out and about last night checking which houses had dogs, they knocked at my door at quarter to five this morning near had a heart attack cause I was in the hall trying to walk off cramp, they only give two knocks then run but if a dog barks they'll come back and leave a mark."
In the past, arrows and other marks like strange white lines have cropped up on brickwork, gates and wooden fences - with many fearing it's a way for cruel thieves to target homes worth stealing dogs from.
One woman commented on Ms Mccue's post to say: "I had a arrow chalked on the path outside my back gate last night I just thought it was kids drawing."
Another person added: "This is a horrible trade and believe me this really does happen a lot. They target different areas all the time the amount of dogs that get stolen in this way is unbelievable please be on guard!"
The marks have been reported elsewhere in the UK, with people in other areas saying they have become "paranoid" and are "losing sleep" after finding the white lines outside their homes.
Kelly Crane, 39, from the village of Henley, wrote on Facebook: "Really unsettling to discover a white chalk mark on our back fence this evening.
"Please if you have dogs, check your property for these marks and don't let your dogs out in the garden alone at the moment. Not going to sleep tonight."
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Meanwhile Jackie Woolven, from Woodbridge, posted: "This is not a prank or wind up, this is going on and it's very serious.
"They don’t only chalk, they use cable ties and they also come round and leave your gates open so when your dog runs out they steal it.
"They knock on your door to see if you want work done, that’s how they know you have dogs. Please be very aware."
Edinburgh Live have reached out to Police Scotland for comment.
