POSTS by worried people reporting that their dogs have gone missing, presumed stolen, have seen a dramatic increase.
Even a simple glance through most social media news feeds will bring up multiple postings by concerned pet owners desperate for information to get their beloved pooches returned.
Hillary resident, Priscilla Naicker, has been looking for her dog, Steve, since he was presumed stolen from their yard on Friday, 12 July. Steve, a brindle Bull Terrier, was wearing a red and blue collar at the time he disappeared.
The same day, two more similar dogs were also reported missing, presumed stolen, in the area, but while the others have since returned home, Steve is still missing.
“Steve is actually my son, Hayden’s doggy. He named him after Steve Erwin, the wildlife guy,” said Naicker.
“We actually drive around every day looking for him but if somebody took him, they probably sent him away from the area, that’s our worst fear.”
The heartbroken Naicker said she is so worried that Steve may be suffering from homesickness and missing his family. “He knocks on the door if he wants something and if someone has him they don’t know this and he is probably wondering, “why are they not giving me a biscuit or my chipniks?” That is what he would knock for and once I give it to him he is all content, she said adding that in many ways Steve is as much a part of the family as any of the humans.
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“We also have a kitty and she is always looking for him. She now sleeps in his space in his blanket,” she said with tears in her eyes.
Increase in stolen dogs
Queensburgh News asked police and community NPOs concerned with missing pets if there had been an increase in the incidence of pets being taken.
The Blue Bundu Brigade (BBB), which runs a service to rescue lost pets and find missing ones as a community service, said the organisation had definitely seen an increase in ‘dognapping’.
Karen Janisch of BBB said while they hadn’t heard of any recent cases of dogs being poisoned, her organisation had seen many more cases of dogs being stolen than in the past.
“There is definitely an increase of dog napping, especially Seaview, Malvern, Queensburgh, Phoenix and Verulam areas,” said Janisch.
“Owners who have had animals stolen are advised to open a case of theft at their nearest SAPS branch. Animals are seen as property and if the property has been stolen, SAPS are legally obligated to open a case in terms of the criminal procedure act of 51 of 1977.”
Janisch, however, did warn that not every person who tries to report such a case is taken seriously. “We have had negative feedback regarding the Malvern SAPS. Recently a power breed dog had gone missing, the owner was advised to report and open a case of theft. The owner was told by the SAPS officer to give them a picture of the dog and they would stick it up on their notice board. Sadly this is not the first time we have heard this,” said Janisch.
The Queensburgh News sent questions to Malvern SAPS about the alleged incident described by Janisch. W/O Radhika Marimuthu, of Malvern SAPS responded to questions from Queensburgh News about whether there had been incidents of theft or poisoning of dogs in the area in the negative. “There are no such reported cases of theft or poisoning of dogs,” said Marimuthu who also said she was looking into the allegations made by Janisch that a dog owner had been refused the opportunity to open a case at Malvern SAPS.
Asked specifically about the refusal to open a case to investigate the suspected theft of the dog in question, Marimuthu said the procedure was as follows: “An incident report can be made in this regard and a poster of the pet put on our wall.”
Police must investigate dog theft
Bellair SAPS, which covers the area where Steve went missing and where Naicker reported his theft, gave the Queensburgh News a puzzling response at first to its enquiry about the case. “There haven’t been any reports of theft of animals or any other incident related to animals in the Bellair policing area,” said Sgt Pam Pillay, spokesperson for Bellair SAPS.
However, Naicker claimed she had reported the matter and even provided the Queensburgh News with the case number she had received for her report.
Bellair SAPS were again approached for further clarity and Pillay said soon afterwards that she had received further information from her detectives’ branch that a case had been opened and was being investigated by Det Cst Mseleku.
“Any information on the whereabouts of the dog can be conveyed to the Bellair SAPS on 031 4512814,” said Pillay.
Pillay reiterated the advice for people to report such matters to police as they are mandated to investigate, echoing Janische’s comment.
Asked what charges would be when a dog is stolen, Pillay confirmed that the charge would be of theft. “If an animal has been stolen the suspect will be charged with theft and if there is injury or any other form of deliberate attempt to harm such animal, the suspect will be charged with malicious damage to property or malicious injury to property,” said Pillay.
Dog fighting
With many commenting on these incidences suggesting the thefts of specifically so-called ‘power breeds’ might be connected to the illegal dog fighting underground, Queensburgh News asked police if there have been any incidents of dog fights taking place with the Bellair SAPS policing area.
“There hasn’t been any reports of dog fighting in the Bellair policing area thus far,” said Pillay.
However, Janisch said it is far more common than many people realise. “Dog fighting takes place all over. It is very prevalent in Chesterville, uMlazi, Merebank, Phoenix, Mariannhill, Hammarsdale, Pinetown, Mayville, Hillcrest.
“Dogs are stolen and within hours can be moved from one province to the next. That’s why it is imperative to get the word out there as soon as possible, but in particular when power breeds are stolen.”
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Tips to keep pets safe
Both the police and Janisch offered some tips for pet owners to help prevent their animals from being snatched.
However, Janisch said despite numerous warnings issued to the public, few are taken seriously resulting in the continued loss of pets to theft.
Janisch advises first and foremost that people remove signs on their front gate or fence indicating that they own a power breed.
Pillay of Bellair SAPS advised dog owners to train their animals not to accept food from strangers.
“Although it will be difficult to train older dogs, pet owners should train their animals not to accept food from any person other than their owners,” said Pillay.
Janisch advises pet owners to take note of the following to keep their ‘furkids’ safe:
- Microchip your dogs so in the event of your dog been stolen, the dog can be identified as yours. It is very important that you keep your contact details up-to-date, especially if you move house or change your telephone number. In the event of your dog been stolen, report the loss/theft to the microchip database which will ensure that if anyone tries to re-register the chip number, you will be informed.
- Allow your dogs to sleep inside at night. Most dogs are stolen at night or early hours of the morning. By your dog/s sleeping inside it provides safety for your dog from being stolen or poisoned and there is protection for yourself.
If you don’t allow your dogs to sleep inside, place your dogs away from the boundary fence line and road. - Sterilise your pet so if stolen, they cannot be used for breeding.
- Keep your dog/s in your view when they are in the garden, don’t just leave them outside unsupervised.
- Be aware of strangers in your area and especially those who show an active interest in your dog.
Reward offered
The Naicker family has said they are prepared to offer a reward for the safe return of Steve.
“We will be happy to have him back, no questions asked,” said Naicker.
Anyone who has seen Steve or knows where he might be can contact Priscilla on 083 477 1280.
Blue Bundu Brigade can also be contacted via its Facebook page.
This story initially appeared the sister publication of highwaymail.co.za, Queensburgh News in the 16 August issue.
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