Yep..the answer is to buy one big angry dog, don't even put a beware sign...torment the dog once you get it ,to get that angry juice flowing through his veins (only kidding), but German Shep, Doberman, Rockw or similar will give your some peace of mind. We've always had German Sheps and no thieving problems except urine stains on my alloys.

now on the topic of litigation.. i have a cousin who's best friend's girl friend's brother heard rumbling behind his house at 1am. As it was his Uncle's house (they had gone on holidays) he was keeping an eye over it. He took his German Shepherd over the house and let loose on one of the kids who was in the front yard. Dog drew blood,,kids took off. Cops were good about it, but said if the kids file a report he could be in deep doo doo on the premise:
1) not your house , 2) no evidence of break in.