THEFT of Pitbull puppies, possibly for the purpose of training them for dog fights, is rife in Richards Bay.
Still coming to terms with the theft of his five puppies, an Aquadene resident was dealt another blow when the perpetrator returned to strike again.
On Tuesday morning, Charles Williamson left his pets locked in the backyard of his property in Amoracia Angle street and left for work at about 6am.
When he came home at around 8.30am he found the gate had been opened and five puppies were stolen, while two were left behind with their mother.
That evening he gave one of them away and the next morning the suspect returned and took the last pup.
‘The criminal was so brave that he returned on the third consecutive day in search of the last one, which we had already given away.
‘We found the gate had been tampered with and cannot believe how brazen they were to keep coming back.’
The case was not reported to police but Richards Bay SAPS Captain Debbie Ferreira encouraged the complainant to open a case of theft.
In a separate case, Brackenham resident Rennila Dhania confirmed that her son’s two dogs were also stolen from his property.
‘Last year, my Pitbull was stolen from my property in Extensia Angle and earlier this year my son had his Pitbull and Labrador taken from his yard in Airfern Angle.
‘These thefts of animals are a major concern. Our pets are like our family and it has been heartbreaking not knowing where they have been taken to and if they are being cared for,’ said Dhania.
Northern Region Protection Services’ Corrie Pretorius confirmed there is a problem with dogs and puppies being stolen.
‘We have received reports of animals of various breeds being stolen in different areas around Richards Bay,’ he said.
