8 Tips to prevent dog theft
"If your dog is stolen and you have any evidence, call your nearest police station, open a case and report it to your nearest SPCA."
The Edenvale SPCA has urged community members to take precautions to ensure their dogs do not get stolen.
Inspector Jade Nel of the Edenvale SPCA said since she began working in Edenvale in 2016, she has only dealt with two incidents of suspected dog theft.
She said despite only dealing with the two incidents, dog theft is something dog owners should be concerned about.
Inspector Nel said some ways residents can keep their dogs safe include:
- Having a secure property which dogs cannot get out of.
- Partitioning a property and keeping the dog at the back of the property.
- Ensuring the dog is microchipped.
- Not leaving the dog alone at home when you go on holiday and ensuring someone keeps an eye on the dog.
- Asking your domestic worker to keep an eye on the dog and to tell you if a stranger tries to befriend your dog at the front of the property.
- Getting the dog sterilised.
- Not openly displaying high profile breeds of dog such as Pit Bulls and Bull Terriers.
- Walk in a group if you are walking your dog to prevent individuals from forcefully taking your dog away from you.
“If your dog is stolen and you have any evidence, call your nearest police station, open a case and report it to your nearest SPCA,” said Inspector Nel.
She said it is important to contact the SPCA as dog owners will be contacted if any dog fitting the description of their dog is brought to the SPCA.
Inspector Nel said it is also important to contact local vets and Facebook groups in the area.
She said it is important for everyone to share information with each other as it allows for better cohesion and increases the amount of people looking for your dog.
“If you want to offer a reward do not state how much you are willing to pay,” said Inspector Nel.
She said people steal dogs and then wait for the reward amount to increase before bringing the dog back claiming they found it.
“At the SPCA we understand some people are willing to pay no matter what to get their dogs back. Unfortunately this has created a trade,” said Inspector Nel.
