POLOKWANE – Warning have been doing the rounds on social media with people warning friends and family about instances where their beloved pets, especially dogs, were stolen in the city.
These proved to be more than just empty warnings for a local resident Petro Wessels and her daughter, Juanita.
Juanita’s dog, Buks, almost still a puppy at just under a year old, was stolen out of their yard when they were not home.
“I was at work and my daughter was visiting with friends when the incident must have happened,” Petro tells Review. “We noticed Buks was missing when we arrived home and immediately began looking for him. After a nearly sleepless night and almost the entire next day spent looking for him, we had all but lost hope. When we went to a local shopping centre the day after Buks went missing, we spotted him with a man. At first we were relieved to have found Buks but that relief soon turned to horror.”
She says when they confronted the man about where he found the dog he said the dog was given to him to sell by another man.
“Even after we told him that it was our dog, he refused to give Buks back to us,” an upset Petro continues.
They immediately went to the police station to report the man but by the time they and an investigating officer arrived at the shopping centre, the man was long gone.
“We urge residents to be on the lookout for a man selling dogs and to please report him to the police. It is important to be vigilant and make sure you and your pets do not become victims of these criminals.”
Police Spokesperson, Capt Ntobeng Phala, told Review there had been no cases of animal theft reported at the police but he urged residents to be alert and to take precautionary measures to avoid falling prey to these criminals.
He gave the following tips to help keep animals safe:
• Keep your dog on a leash when going for a walk.
• Don’t leave your dog unattended outdoors.
• Keep your gate locked.
• Be wary of strangers who show too much interest in your dog.
• Don’t leave your dog alone in the car.
• Don’t leave your dog unattended outside a store when you go inside, even if it is tied up.
• Get a microchip for your pet.
riana@nmgroup.co.za
