Durban residents urged to secure their pets

AN increasing number of reports posted on social media and WhatsApp groups by owners of missing dogs, or lost dogs found wandering around the community together with reports of alleged dognappings and poisonings, has prompted an appeal by the Bulwer Safety and Urban Regeneration Forum for owners to take more responsibility for the their pets.

Heather Rorick, chairperson of the forum, said there had been many reports of this nature in the Glenwood area.

“Owners need to secure their pets safety, the same as they would if they have a small child. Your pet’s safety is your responsibility as an owner,” she said.

Last month, Blue Security posted a warning on social media, claiming ‘dognapping’ was on the rise in Durban, following an influx of missing dog posts, most presumed stolen, on social media timelines.

Karen Janisch of the Blue Bundu Brigade, a pet rescue service, said that the organisation had seen a definite increase in ‘dognapping’.

“No dogs are immune to theft.”

“Pets that haven’t been neutered or spayed may be sold to puppy mills or backyard breeders, popular or expensive dog breeds are resold and some dogs, particularly power breeds, are sold to dog fighting rings either as a fighter or bait,” she said, advising pet owners to secure their properties and to reduce the chance of having their dog stolen.

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Carte Blanche also recently aired an insert on dog poisoning.

The investigation revealed that about 1 000 dogs are poisoned weekly in South Africa, despite the suspected poison being banned in South Africa.

The most commonly used poisons by criminals are organophosphates and carbamate, commercially known as Aldicarb, Temik and Two-Step, often found in insecticides and pesticides. Anticoagulant rat poison is also often used.

Responding to the report, local canine behaviour and training specialist, Grant Smith, said it is vital to train a dog to only eat out of its food bowl.

“Take the bowl off the floor after the dog has finished eating. This training will ensure your dog will not fall victim to poisoning,” he said.

Smith said it was also important to ensure dog sitters and pet walkers were properly trained and upskilled to deal with emergency situations, and should be qualified to look after a dog.

Safety tips for protecting your dog, provided online by Dogtime.com and Dogster.com:

1. Regularly check the integrity of your fence

Securing your perimeter with a strong, high fence that makes it difficult for thieves to get access to your property.

2. Sectioning off your property

Most dogs are stolen at night or in the early hours of the morning. Allowing your dog to sleep inside is, therefore, the ideal solution. If your dog isn’t allowed to sleep inside, sectioning off your property with a second fence is an alternative solution, which makes it significantly more difficult for thieves to poison or steal your dog.

3. Consider removing “beware of the dog” signage

Although this signage has some benefits, it also alerts thieves to the fact that you have a dog, particularly in the case of power breeds, such a Rottweilers or Pit Bulls, who are sought after for dog fighting.

4. Be wary of strangers that show an overly active interest in your dog

All dog owners love talking about their furkids but you should be careful about sharing too many details to strangers. Be cautious of people asking too many details such as how much you paid, if they are purebred and whether or not they are neutered or spayed.

5. Spay or neuter your dog

Dogs are sometimes stolen to be resold for breeding purposes. Spaying or neutering your pet can reduce their chances of being stolen.

6. Training your dog

Although it may be more difficult to train older dogs, it is highly beneficial to train your dog not to accept food from strangers or to only accept food under certain conditions, such as in a specific bowl.

7. Hire trustworthy dog/house sitters

Ensure that you only hire professional, responsible and trusted pet-care providers to look after your pet while you are away. Go to a trusted source, such as a local vet, to find a good dog-sitter and always check references before hiring. Once you have hired the dog-sitter, ensure that they are informed of all the necessary safety precautions for your home.

What to do if your dog has been stolen:

1. Report your missing dog to the microchip database

Microchipping won’t prevent your pet from being stolen, however, should your dog be found it will assist in identifying the pet as yours. Ensure that all of your details are up to date. In the event that your pet has been stolen, report the missing dog to the microchip database.

2. Open a case of theft

If your animal has been stolen, it is advisable to open a case of theft at the nearest SAPS branch.

3. Get help immediately

Make use of social media and any available networks to distribute a clear, recent image of your dog and your contact details.

4. Beware of scam artists

Be careful of scam artists demanding reward money for the return of your pet. Common scams involve someone phoning to tell you that they have found your dog in a far-off area and need money to transport your dog back to you.

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