UPDATE: Nine stolen dogs recovered

Nine stolen dogs have been recovered in a joint operation between the Kloof and Highway SPCA and the SAPS.

On Monday, 9 June at about 1pm the Kloof and Highway SPCA Inspectorate Department was contacted by the Pinetown Police who requested the SPCA inspectors to accompany them to houses in the Clermont and Kwadabeka area that were suspected to be in possession of stolen dogs.

Inspectors, Petros Simamane and Nikki Vacy- Lyle and Barbara Laubscher, Lisa Gadd and Doctor Nthombeni of the Kloof and Highway SPCA, together with the Pinetown Police, the dog unit, a local car vehicle tracking company, Pro-force Security, worked together as a team to recover the dogs.

The retrieval of stolen dogs continued through the night with the SPCA inspectors finishing at 3.45am on Tuesday morning, and the Pinetown Police continuing to work right through the morning.

A total of nine dogs of various breeds were recovered from the houses, one of the dogs was sadly reported to have been hit by a car and died. A 10th dog, belonging to a man who had bought one of the stolen dogs, was signed over immediately into the care of the Kloof and Highway SPCA and euthanased as it was in an appalling condition.

A case of Animal Cruelty will be opened by the Kloof and Highway SPCA against the owner in terms of the Animal Protection Act of 71 of 1962. All the stolen dogs were found to be living in unacceptable conditions at the various houses. Six of the dogs were found on short chains, one of the dogs had broken off its chain and was running around free and one dog was found caged in a small area.

At about 8.30pm last night, the SPCA inspectors and police returned to the Pinetown Police Station to meet with four owners whose pets had been stolen from the New Germany area.

“It was very emotional to witness the re-uniting of the four dogs and their owners, some of whom had given up all hope of ever finding their pets. Of the four dogs that were owner claimed last night most were unsterilized and only one dog had a microchip, ” said Barbara Laubscher on behalf of the Kloof and Highway SPCA.

The inspectors and police returned two more of the stolen dogs to their homes last night after driving around the New Germany area trying to locate their homes. The remaining three dogs are in the care of the Kloof and Highway SPCA and owners of missing dogs are urged to go through to the Kloof SPCA and check if these could be their dogs.

“The Kloof and Highway SPCA were so overwhelmed by the determination of the police who demonstrated such commitment and devotion by working throughout the night on this case which resulted in nine stolen animals being recovered and we hope that all will be re-united with their families. A number of animal investigations arose from last night and the SPCA inspectors will continue to monitor and follow up these cases,” said Laubscher.

The Kloof SPCA suggests the following tips:

• If you suspect that your animal has been stolen, report it to the police immediately.

• Microchip your animals as this is an effective and efficient way of successfully re-uniting animals to their rightful owners as well as proving ownership of an animal. Keep recent and up to date photos of your animals.

• Sterilise your animals.

• If possible do not let your dogs have access to driveway gates.

• Ensure that your dogs are secure in your garden as roaming dogs are easy targets.