Dog theft increases in Illovo
An Illovo resident is angered at the realisation that his dogs may have been stolen as 'bait' for dog fighting in Isipingo.
CASES of dog theft in Illovo continue to increase as a resident recalled a recent incident involving his beloved shepherds that were stolen as possible ‘bait’ for dog fighting in Isipingo.
The resident is now questioning the ignorance of his community.
“Last Sunday evening, 9 July I received a disturbing message through the security WhatsApp group, advising of two people who were arrested for dragging a dog over the Illovo river bridge,” said Ruggero Pescivolo. “This concerned me as just over a month ago our two Australian Shepherds were found dead on the side of the highway just beyond that bridge. They had been run over on the highway.”
The events leading up to this are still not clear. The owner explained that the dogs, Maia and Cody were extremely familiar with the Illovo neighbourhood, mainly Elizabeth Road and Station Road leading to the beach.
“My wife and I would walk them often, without leads as they knew their way. How they got out of the property and found their way to the R102 is totally out of character for them. They would have never done that. It makes us wonder who provoked them or lead them that way.”
The owner’s wife then went to the Amanzimtoti police station to lay a case of dog theft and was horrified to learn of the amount of cases of dog theft.
“The warrant officer who opened the case said that even though our dogs were not fighters by nature, they would be used as ‘bait’ for dog fights that happen in Isipingo,” he explained. “This is completely disgusting.”
Amanzimtoti SPCA manager Tacey Girling advises owners to keep their dogs away from the road so they cannot be seen. “It’s mainly the young rural children who are stealing them for money or drugs,” she said.
“We want people to be aware of what is happening. Be vigilant of your animals, in our case they were our children,” he said. “Whoever has provoked this evil needs to know someone is watching. Look after your dogs, they need you as much as you need them.”
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