PET owners are urged to safeguard their dogs following a spate of dog thefts in the New Germany area.
It was revealed during a recent recovery operation that the masterminds behind the dog thefts were surprisingly children between the ages of eight and 11 years old.
Marq Westwood, a New Germany resident and street patroller, said at about 11.45am on Sunday, 28 May he was working in his garage when he heard a dog yelp.
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He went to investigate and saw a group of about 10 children walking a black Pitbull along Sander Road.
“I remember seeing a post about a black pitbull that had gone missing the day before so I called out to the group of kids telling them that I liked their dog and I wanted to see it. They dropped the leash and scattered in all directions,” said Westwood.
He gave chase but feared for his daughter’s safety and returned home with the dog.
He sent out a broadcast message and the neighbourhood watch quickly mobilised and responded.
Angel Joubert, also a resident in New Germany, contacted the Kloof and Highway SPCA after she caught two young boys attempting to steal her elderly female Jack Russel.
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The Kloof and Highway SPCA’s inspector on stand-by received a call on the emergency after-hours phone regarding the incident.
Trainee inspector, Eric Simamane and inspector Petros Simamane, alerted the Pinetown SAPS and responded to the call.
“When questioned, the boys led both the SAPS and SPCA inspectors to a premises in Clermont in KwaDabeka.”
“On the property the SPCA inspectors found a sterilised adult male Pitbull and a five-month-old female Pitbull puppy, both had been stolen from the New Germany area.”
“The owners of the dogs were contacted and both the dogs have been happily re-united with their owners,” said the Kloof and Highway SPCA’s marketing manager, Lisa Mörck.
It is not yet known why the group of children were stealing the dogs but the thefts are believed to be linked to selling the dogs for money, rewards for missing pets or dog fighting.
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At the same premises, the inspectors also found an underweight female crossbreed with five of her own puppies as well as four two-week-old puppies from a different litter.
“Sadly one of these puppies died and was found lying motionless in the kennel,” said Mörck.
The mother dog and her five puppies belonged to the owner of the property and were signed over into the care of the SPCA.
The dead puppy and the remaining three puppies were also removed by the SPCA.
“The owner of the premises claimed not to know the boys, but had seen them placing the four puppies with his crossbreed female. It is suspected that the four puppies from a different litter were also stolen, however, this cannot be confirmed,” noted Mörck.
The two young boys were taken into police custody but were cautioned and released into the custody of their parents without being charged.
According to the the Pinetown SAPS communication officer, captain Bongumusa Manqele, no cases were opened for the theft of the dogs.
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