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Dog Kidnapping on the Rise in Mexico 墨西哥掳狗勒索案件频传

课文朗读

Dogs are disappearing left and right in Mexico, but they’re not running away from home. Instead, they’re the victims of kidnapping. Gang members there are stealing dogs from homes or even taking the pets from owners as they go for walks.

狗狗现今在墨西哥到处搞失踪，但牠们并不是逃家，而是绑架的受害者。墨西哥的绑匪从住家偷狗，或趁主人带狗散步时强行带走宠物。

Criminals steal the dogs much as they would take a person: they scope out homes for dogs and then sneak in, or snatch the animals while they’re in public places. Once flyers for the missing pets go up, the criminals will call owners and demand high ransoms. Since the victims are pets, their abductions are not as serious as human kidnappings, which would cause a huge concern among the public. In addition, local police are busy dealing with more pressing crimes, and most dog owners would pay to have their beloved dogs back. As a result, kidnappers have become even more brazen.

罪犯掳狗勒索的方式几乎和掳人勒赎一样：他们先打量好哪户人家有养狗，而偷偷闯入住宅，或是直接在公共场所强行掳走狗。一旦寻狗启事的传单被张贴出来，罪犯就会向狗主人要求极高的赎金。因为被绑架的是宠物，相较之下没有比造成社会高度关注的人类绑架案来得严重；再者，墨西哥地方警察也忙于处理其他更棘手的案子，而多数的狗主人为了将心爱的狗要回来也还是会付清赎金。因此，绑架犯又变得更加嚣张。

With more people getting dogs as pets, thieves have an easy opportunity to make money. Residents are now being warned to always keep their dogs on a leash, to vary their pet’s walking routes, and to be on the lookout for potential kidnappers.

随着越来越多人养狗作为宠物，窃贼便有了这唾手可得的赚钱机会。墨西哥居民现在已被告诫须随时替狗拴上狗链、改变遛狗的路径，并且对周遭可能是绑匪的对象提高警觉。

－by Bryan Shettig

Vocabulary

kidnapping [ˋkɪdnæpɪŋ] n. 诱拐，绑架

scope [skop] out  调查;审视

snatch [snætʃ] v. 夺走，夺得

ransom [ˋrænsəm] n. 赎金

abduction [æbˋdʌkʃən] n. 诱拐，绑架；劫持

pressing [ˋprɛsɪŋ] adj. 紧迫的，迫切的

beloved [bɪˋlʌvɪd] adj. 钟爱的

brazen [ˋbrezən] adj. 无耻的，厚脸皮的

leash [liʃ] n. 拴狗等的）皮带，链条

be on the lookout  提高警觉

More Information

left and right  到处

Reading Comprehension

1.   Why do people usually pay the criminals?

(A)  They don't mind paying to get their dog.

(B)  The police usually can't help dog owners.

(C)  These crimes are very common in Mexico.

(D)  The thieves are not asking for much money.

2.   What is one way owners can keep their dogs safe?

(A)  Refuse to pay when a thief takes their pets.

(B)  Not use a leash when taking their pets for a walk.

(C)  Only keep their dogs out in public places.

(D)  Not walk their dogs to the same places every day.

3.   Which is NOT mentioned in the article?

(A)  Why owners should be careful in public.

(B)  Why dog owners pay the thieves.

(C)  When people began stealing dogs in Mexico.

(D)  How thieves steal dogs from their homes.

Answer