Dog stolen, family left heartbroken
Durban North family devastated after their five month old puppy was snatched by an unknown female.
A HEARTBROKEN Durban North family has pleaded for the safe return of their beloved dog, Snuffels, who was taken by an unknown woman outside their Savell Avenue home last Wednesday. Thea van Rensburg, along with her daughters Nicola and Theane, fear the worst, saying the five month old Yorkshire Terrier’s whereabouts are still unknown.
Her daughter, Theane, said she has hardly slept since her best friend was taken.
“He loved to chase me and my sister around the house. When he wanted attention he would playfully tug at our hair. I sleep with his collar now because it helps keep the nightmares away,” said the traumatised youngster.
Mom, Thea, said her neighbour was contacted by a lady who said Snuffels was on the road and nearly knocked over.
“She told the woman it was not her dog but it could be ours,” she explained. The unknown lady then went next door and spoke to the van Rensburg’s domestic worker.
“She did not return Snuffles and just asked for a pen and paper, asked for my contact details and that she was going to take the dog to the SPCA.”
However, after contacting various vets in the area and the SPCA, no dog matching the description of the yorkie was handed in.
“We’ve been contacted by a La Lucia resident whose dog was also stolen, and she had CCTV footage of the women in question. We showed this to our neighbour who couldn’t positively identify her, but the modus operandi was very similar,” Thea said.
“We’re really disgusted that someone would do this. I hope when they find out the circumstances that they’ll just bring Snuffels back,” she said.
The family are distributing posters of their missing dog and have appealed for anyone with information to contact Thea on 082 416 7727. A reward of R3 000 has also been offered.
Last month, La Lucia resident, Robyn Lishman’s six month old wiry haired black and white Jack Russel female, Lola was taken from a local garage. At the time the dog had stitches on its abdomen. Lola was later tracked down to a Phoenix neighbourhood after several frantic days of searching.
“The public needs to be aware that there are people out there preying on our animals. I am unsure for what reasons, but I have been told all sorts of horror stories. I am willing to campaign against those who are committing these crimes. Besides all the crime in our country, not even our animals seem to be safe anymore,” she said.
She urged the van Rensburg’s not to give up hope and to use social media to get the message out.
