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(NewsNation) — Another week in crime-ridden Los Angeles, another celebrity was burgled, all leading to another high-end trend: The trained guard dog.
Stephen Scott, owner of ScottsK9 in Argyle, Texas, who breeds and trains Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd dogs, says Californians are his biggest customers.
The dogs, which cost between $100,000 – $150,000, are the “ultimate in security” Scott said, adding that “many” top celebrities are his clients.
“The country got a little crazy in the last couple years,” Scott told me. Scott estimates his business is up 25% in the last two years and said: “People started considering a guard dog because by now everyone knows someone who has (been burgled) and security systems are not foolproof. And once your security bubble is popped, it’s gone.”
Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson’s home burglary
The latest high-profile couple to be robbed is Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson who announced this week they were the victims of a burglary, with thieves entering a guest house on their Pacific Palisades property by smashing through fortified windows. Thankfully the couple were not home, unlike Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, who suffered two break-ins within four months at their Los Angeles property.
“We were gone maybe two hours and 20 minutes or something,” Hawn told Kelly Ripa on the “Let’s Talk Off Camera” podcast.
“They had broken in from the balcony to our bedroom, our closets, and they completely knocked down my door, which was a safe door, so they’re very, very sophisticated,” Hawn said. “They got a lot of my goodies, if you know what I mean. So I’m thinking, ‘Oh, my God. Well, the chances are, I guess that’s it.’”
But four months later, Hawn was alone in her bedroom when another break-in attempt happened.
“I’m never without a guard,” she said.
Celebrity homes and crime
Other celebs in ritzy LA homes who have been burgled are Dorit Kemsley (who was also home with her children when the crime happened), Drake, Marlon Wayans and Kim Kardashian.
Scott says while Hawn now has human bodyguards, dogs have an advantage as “You can take your dog with you a 24-hour-a-day bodyguard who is also your best friend.”
One LA businessman, who lives in Beverly Hills and asked to remain anonymous, got a Belgian Malinois named Casper from Gold Coast K9 after his neighbor’s home was broken into six months ago and cleaned out.
“Crime is just so bad in LA,” the man told me. He and his partner spent $100,000 on Casper who is fully trained; the dog can attack, stop attacking or search his property on command.
“All commands are in another language so thieves can’t tell Casper what to do,” The man said.
“It’s just so bad in Los Angeles right now — really not safe.”
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BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 22: Reality TV Personality / Fashion Designer Dorit Kemsley attends the Homeless Not Toothless Hollywood Event at The Beverly Hilton on April 22, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images) -
HOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 16: Rapper, songwriter, and icon Drake attends a game between the Houston Rockets and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Toyota Center on March 16, 2024 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) -
ROME – OCTOBER 29: Actress Eva Mendes attends the “Little White Lies” premiere during The 5th International Rome Film Festival at Auditorium Parco Della Musica on October 29, 2010 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images) -
MONTERREY, MEXICO – SEPTEMBER 26: Abel Makkonen better known as The Weekend performs during a concert as part of the ‘After Hours Til Dawn’ tour at BBVA Stadium on September 26, 2023 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Medios y Media/Getty Images) -
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 13: Zac Efron attends the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix’s “A Family Affair” at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on June 13, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images) -
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA – MAY 15: Kim Kardashian attends a game between the Atlanta Dream and the Los Angeles Sparksin the first half at Walter Pyramid on May 15, 2024 in Long Beach, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 20: Kirsten Dunst attends the “Kinds Of Kindness” New York Premiere at Museum of Modern Art on June 20, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/WireImage) -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 03: Marlon Wayans attends the Marlon Wayans “Good Grief” Screening at Lume Studios on June 03, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) -
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 18: Goldie Hawn (L) and Kurt Russell arrive at the Premiere of Netflix’s “The Christmas Chronicles” at Fox Bruin Theater on November 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images) -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 09: Jake Gyllenhaal attends the “Presumed Innocent” Premiere during the 2024 Tribeca Festival at BMCC Theater on June 09, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)
Celebrities that have dogs for protection
Other celebs like the Kardashians and music mogul David Geffen also have protection dogs while Kiefer Sutherland, Zac Efron, Kirsten Dunst, and Jake Gyllenhaal all have owned German Shepherds in the past, Patrick Mahomes had a Cane Corso, The Weeknd has a Doberman Pinscher and Eva Mendes owns a Belgian Malinois (it is not known if they were trained dogs).
The demand surged over COVID-19 and especially after the 2021 murder of Jacqueline Avant, the wife of music executive Clarence Avant, who, despite having an extensive home security system, was shot and killed by an intruder. The man, Aariel Maynor, “laughed and bragged about the killing”, according to court records reviewed by the Los Angeles Times. Maynor also “allegedly bragged to a friend in a phone call from jail that he would serve only 20 to 25 years because Los Angeles County prosecutors did not file special circumstances murder that could have meant life without parole or the death penalty, a sentencing document filed by prosecutors shows.”
“The guys who do the break ins are back out on the street in a day,” the dog-owning celebrity told me. “If an alarm goes off, it still takes time for the police to come and by then, you’re cleaned out. Not with a dog. They’re not getting by Casper.”
The celeb added: “Yes, I am afraid I’d be (legally) liable if Casper attacked an intruder, but better than being killed.”