Stolen Amanzimtoti German shepherd pup returned to owner before she knew it was missing

A PUPPY which was stolen from its Amanzimtoti home was returned to its owner just hours after the theft took place – even before the owner knew it was missing – thanks to vigilance from a member of the community, Amanzimtoti SPCA and the armed response units involved.

The puppy was stolen from a highly secured property but thankfully because it had been microchipped, little Bullet the German shepherd could return home in no time.

Read also: Dog-theft haunts pet owners again 

Owner Annemarie Strydom is a swimming instructor and spends most of her days at home with her dogs. On Wednesday, 15 August she popped out in the morning to run errands and after some hours, received a call alerting her that her 11-week old German Shepherd puppy, Bullet had been stolen, spotted, confiscated, scanned for a microchip and was safely waiting for her at Amanzimtoti SPCA.

“At about 10am the Amanzimtoti SPCA phoned and said they had Bullet,” she explained. “My first thought was that, by accident, I had pressed the remote when I drove off and the gate was open. I raced back home to find everything still closed. My spaniel and the female GSD puppy, Bella were there at home. My house is completely secure, with no way for them to get out. Bullet was already gone by 9.30am because a package had been delivered and I questioned the person who dropped it. They said they only saw the other two dogs on the property.”

Read this: Fynn Road stolen dogs reunited with owner

Annemarie further explained that as she lives in a cul de sac, there is no reason for strangers to be passing by.

“A Mr Botha who works for Telkom was driving to work along Entombeni Drive. When he spotted a man walking with the puppy, he suspected something was off,” she said. “He questioned the man, who was walking towards the township, about the GSD puppy.”

Check this out: Amanzimtoti dog owners reclaim stolen dog 

The man explained the puppy was out on the street following him, so he picked it up and was going to find its house. Botha didn’t buy the story, and insisted on taking the dog and put it in his vehicle.
“When Mr Botha went back to question the man further, a passing CCPO patrol pulled up beside the two. The puppy was handed over to the CCPO, who took him straight to the local shelter,” she said.

Annemarie believes in microchipping her dogs as in the past, her two labradors went missing and were never found.
“Not knowing what happened to your dogs is the worst feeling to live with,” she explained. “When I got Bullet and Bella, my fiance insisted we have them microchipped.”

Fortunately, when the puppy arrived at the shelter and was scanned, Annemarie’s details came up and she was could be reached.

The owner deduced that being such a friendly pup, perhaps Bullet was called to the gate by the thief, picked up by the collar and tossed over the spiked gate onto the outside of the property.

Read also: Informant leads to stolen dog’s recovery after three months

“Thank you to the CCPO, Blue Security, Mr Botha and Toti SPCA for saving my dog from a lifetime of dog-fighting, breeding and misery,” thanked Annemarie.

With these kinds of theft stll taking place despite the walled, spiked, electric and spiked gates for security, the pet owner and the SPCA swear by the merits of microchipping.

“This could have ended really badly for this precious boy, were it not for a vigilant member of the public, the CCPO and the fact that he was microchipped,” said Toti SPCA manager, Tracey Girling. “Consider bringing in your pets to be microchipped. If your pet ever goes missing and ends up at any vet or SPCA, they will be scanned for a microchip. It costs just R240 for a lifetime of peace of mind.” The SPCA also said that if the community notices a dog being walked and it being a suspicious situation, to inquire and call CCPO immediately if suspecting dog theft.

Contact the Amanzimtoti SPCA on 031-904-2424/5 or visit the 1 Nyati Road office in Athlone Park.

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