Beware of imposters, warns Empangeni SPCA

Empangeni SPCA has issued an urgent warning to all pet owners to be vigilant about four men posing as SPCA employees attempting to remove animals under false pretences.

“On Wednesday last week, in the afternoon, a home on Durnford Road was visited by four men demanding to remove the owner’s dogs,” said Empangeni SPCA inspector Lisa Conradie.

“Initially, it was one man who went to the owner’s home demanding to remove her dogs, while he carried a control pole. She refused and he returned with four other men who tried to get into her yard. She warned them that she would phone the police and they left, moving to other houses.

“It’s apparently a single cab Toyota bakkie with a dent in the roof on the passenger side,” said Conradie.

The homeowner then phoned Empangeni SPCA in a fury, but they advised her that they had not visited her premises.

“Our staff are always in uniform and drive a marked van. We will never enter a property or try to remove dogs without an owner’s consent, SAPS officials or an authorised magisterial warrant,” said Conradie.

“Please do not entertain or hand your dogs over to anyone without proper identification and documents provided,” she insisted.

Contact the Empangeni SPCA office on 071 1744746.

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