A BLUFF resident was reunited with her stolen dog after a man who bought it made the effort to try and trace its true owner.
Kloof and Highway SPCA urged the Bluff community to be extra vigilant and careful about dog thefts, which appear to be on the increase.
A female Staffie-cross, which had been adopted from the Highway SPCA branch in July, was stolen from a Winchelsea Avenue, Bluff home. The thief made off with the dog, despite the home having electric gates.
The owner posted her missing dog’s photo and details all over social media and placed posters around the area.
The thief who stole the dog tried to sell it for R300 and said he had found the dog in another area. The buyer, a Malvern resident who worked in Clairwood, realised that it most likely belonged to someone else and offered the man a lesser amount of money. The buyer made enquiries and saw the missing posters which the owner had distributed and contacted the woman immediately.
The dog, Nelly as she has been named, was happily re-united with her heartbroken and loving family who were overjoyed to have their beloved pet home safe and sound.
According to Kloof and Highway SPCA, any dog is in danger of being stolen regardless of breed, sex or age. Unsterilised males dogs are particularly at risk, as information passed onto the SPCA says male dogs are lured to property fence lines with material smelling of the discharge of a female dog in season.
Puppies and younger dogs are also at risk as they are easier to handle.
A stolen dog may end up living a miserable life and may be exposed to horrific cruelty and suffering.
One of the worst possible fates for a stolen animal is to be used as ‘bait’ for the training of dogs used for dog fighting. These dogs are attacked repeatedly by other dogs that are set on them by their trainers, in order to reinforce their lust for blood and fighting, sadly the ‘bait’ dog is unable to defend itself as usually its muzzle area is taped up with duct tape and it may also be restrained.
Kloof and Highway SPCA urges dog owners to help prevent their dogs from being ‘stolen’:
- Ensure your property is secure and that your dog is unable to escape or be lured outside your home.
- Ensure your dog is sterilised as these are less likely to wander or to try and escape from their homes while females are in season. Most vets are able to sterilise animals from three months and upwards.
- Ensure your dog has identification tags and preferably a microchip. A collar with an identification tag is easily removed.
- Report any missing animals to your closest SPCA immediately and open a case of theft at the nearest SAPS if you have witnessed or have witnesses to confirm dog theft.
Kloof and Highway SPCA can be reached on 031-764-1212/3 or 073-335-9322 for after-hour emergencies.
