How to Protect Weathervanes

As today's crime world gets more and more inventive, you can bet that someone has their eye on anything that's not tied down. One of the latest heist targets? Old, authentic antique or heavy metal weather vanes. That's right, the old rooster on top of your barn could just get up and walk away. And in a lot of cases, you'll never know, because thieves often place replicas to delay awareness of the crime.
Instructions
Step 1:Get a dog. A good guard dog is among the best ways to protect any home. Of course, you'll have to spend time and money on your canine friend, but it could end up being well worth it.
Step 2:Don't be an absentee homeowner. Maintain a definite presence at your property and advertise that presence. Thieves are attracted when they can ascertain that nobody's home. When you leave on vacation, use televisions, lights or misinformation to get people to think you're still around.
Step 3:Enlist help from friends or neighbors. Loyal neighbors can be particularly helpful in watching your property.
Step 4:Keep uninvited guests off of the property, including shared roadways, waterways, etc. Be assertive with uninvited drive-throughs. Let them know it is private property and it's yours. The innocent drive-through can be a thief casing the property.
Step 5:Mark your weather vane. Put a small piece of brightly colored tape on the weather vane at a certain spot, so that you can check for it on a regular basis. If you see that the tape has been moved, or is gone, you know something's up.

Tips & Warnings
Don't get violent. Using violence against suspected criminals or trespassers is not a good idea. Way too often, violent tactics boomerang back on the property owner as legal technicalities intrude on common sense. Do the investigative and preventative work, but let the police handle the catch.