I don't understand this, on a practical level. Does PETA just have volunteers driving around in rape vans stealing dogs to kill? Not that I doubt that they would want to, it just seems like the sort of thing you'd hear more about.
*shrug* My own experience with PETA proves they are not all that consistent in terms of how they go about their business. The only real consistency is they are nut bags.
The owner said the dog was allowed to roam outside unsupervised. I'm betting the PETA van drove by, saw the dog and just randomly decided to take it, especially as it was both friendly and a toy. I wouldn't be surprised if other thefts have happened as well, and I'd think that they are limited because of size of the dogs and the fact that not every dog is happy when strangers come around.