Our pets are part of our family, and as most dog owners will agree, we love our dogs like they are our own children. For one man, he was more than heartbroken when his little poodle was taken from him. So heartbroken, in fact, that he took a woman to court to prove that he was the pups owner.

The man claimed that a woman had stolen his dog, but the woman insisted she bought the dog legally. The man plead his case to Judge Judy and explained that the dog, named Baby Boy, was like his child and he desperately wanted him back.

The woman defended herself saying that she had bought the dog outside of a shopping center for $50 and had adoption papers and veterinarian bills to prove her claim. Still, the tough Judge had a hunch that something wasn’t right.

After interrogating both parties, Judge Judy came up with a solution to determine who the dog really belonged to. She ordered the dog to be brought into the courtroom. Judge Judy was sure that the dog would show who his real owner was.

Another woman that carried the pup into the courtroom was ordered to put the dog down. Everyone anxiously waited to see what the dog would do next. Without hesitation, the fluffy white dog ran directly to his owner.

The loyal pup ran straight to the man proving that he was the owner of the little dog. Judge Judy knew that the dog would be able to tell which person loved him the most, and it was obvious by the tears of joy that the man truly loved the little pup.

Sadly, pets are stolen more often than we might want to think about. The American Kennel Club says that there has been a 30 percent increase in dog theft over the years, and these are some of the reasons that your pet might be at risk:

Certain purebred dogs can sell for thousands of dollars, pets may be stolen in hopes of getting a reward for their return, pets that aren’t neutered can be sold to breeders or puppy mills, fighting breeds can be stolen for dog fighting rings, and angered family members or neighbors may steal pets.

While this may sound heartbreaking, the Pet FBI says there are several things you can do to prevent your pet from being stolen. Those include never leaving your pet unattended, don’t tie them up outside of stores, don’t leave your pet alone in a car, keep your pet on a leash when taking it for a walk, spay or neuter your pet, don’t brag about their monetary worth, and invest in a collar with good tags and a microchip.

It is sad that people would steal someone else’s pet, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. To help your friends protect their furry friends, please share this story with them.