A TOTI dog lover is full of praise for the Community Crime Prevention Organisation (CCPO) after she was reunited with her stolen Yorkie on Tuesday, 19 July.
Celia van der Merwe was on holiday in the Kruger National Park and her dogs were being looked after by her daughter Carmin.
A passerby scooped her dog, a teacup Yorkie named Katie, and walked around, trying to sell it in the vicinity of Umdoni Road.
A warning was posted on a social media website and CCPO Blue Security patrol officer, Mbuyiselo ‘triple M’ Mdunjane spotted him and the dog on Moss Kolnick.
The CCPO control room contacted Toti SPCA and field officer, Colin Cele paid the R200 the man was asking for the dog. He refused to part with the animal unless he was paid what he alleged he had paid someone else.
“When I couldn’t find Katie in the house or yard, I realised something was wrong,” said Carmin. “I saw the photo posted on social media, but I thought that dog looked bigger than Katie. As soon as I saw her at the SPCA, I knew it was her.”
Carmin reimbursed Colin the money he had paid.
“I wasn’t even aware of the drama unfolding at home,” said Celia. “I thought Katie was chipped, but the SPCA said she isn’t. She’s such a lovable dog, that’s obviously how the guy got her to come to him. The first time I knew what had happened was when Carmin called me after she had gone to the SPCA to bail Katie out.
For the CCPO to go out of their way and search for a little dog while they are so busy, was amazing. Thank you to the CCPO and SPCA for returning my little baby to me.”
