Stealing dogs seems to be the new crime trend in Randfontein.
At 1pm on Thursday, 19 October, local resident Monique Nagel got a call from a local security company, informing her that they had found her dog, an American Pitbull, walking with a young man in Greenhills. Her dog was wearing a collar and tag with Monique’s phone number and the words ‘My mommy loves me’ engraved on it.
Monique told the Herald that the security officer saw the man walking with her dog and immediately thought that something was not right.
Also read: Suspect arrested after attempting to steal dog
“My dog had a nice collar on and the guy used a shoelace as leash to walk the dog,” said Monique. The security officer approached the man and asked whose dog it was, and was told that it was his and his friend’s dog and they really loved her. The security officer immediately called the number on the collar and Monique answered. Monique at first thought that it was impossible that her dog had escaped.
“They asked me if they could arrest the man and I went to collect my dog,” said Monique.
The security officer searched the suspect and found a carpet knife, tongs and other items in his bag.
Monique told the Herald that her dog was very thirsty and smelled bad. She also said that several community members identified the suspect as one of several people living under a local bridge. To this day, Monique does not know how the suspect stole her dog or how her dog escaped. Unfortunately her dog is not aggressive and likes people a lot.
The Herald asked the local SPCA for their comment on the matter.
“We get a lot of people calling us about their missing or stolen dogs,” said local SPCA chairman, Lucy Phillips.
She added that dogs get stolen because criminals want to breed with them or use them for fighting, especially bull terriers. She continued, saying that dogs and cats tend to run away during lightning and thunderstorms and people should take the necessary precautions and obtain calming tablets from their vets. Females also tend to get out when tye are on heat.
Lucy advised people to do the following:
• Micro-chip your dog
• Put collars with name tags on them
• Sterilise your dog
• Keep your dogs safe
• Look after your dog
• Make the fence higher if needed
• Look for holes or escape areas in your property
• Keep gates closed
“If your dog is sterilised the chances of it being stolen decreases,” said Lucy.
If your dog is stolen or goes missing, visit the SPCA where you will receive a form to complete. After that, contact the SPCA regularly, to check whether your dog has been handed in.
After Monique put a post on social media about the matter, the Herald received numerous calls from concerned dog owners whose dogs also are missing.
Monique wants to warn the community and also advise them to look after their beloved animals – “Take the necessary steps to ensure your dogs and cats are safe, because the pain of loss is not a good feeling at all,” she said.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
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