Dog goes missing in Kloppersbos
De Winter says she feels vulnerable and alone without Optimus by her side.
Centurion resident Theresa de Winter was heartbroken after her beloved dog, Optimus, went missing on May 18 at a farm in Kloppersbos.
The eight-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback went missing early in the morning and De Winter has searched far and wide for him since.
De Winter works on a farm in Kloppersbos where Optimus provided her with company, safety and peace of mind.
Optimus has been her best friend and guardian for many years, and she feels alone and vulnerable without him when the farmer is out working in the field.
De Winter said the day he went missing was one of the most distressing days of her life.
“The night he went missing started like any other night,” she said.
“I gave the farmer his food, and Optimus usually chooses whether he wants to sleep inside or outside and we all went to bed.
“When I called for him and the other dogs the following morning, he didn’t return,” De Winter said.
“The one dog came back and he was visibly shaken and disturbed so I knew something was wrong.
“I walked around and called his name, but there was no sign of him.”
At first De Winter and farmer Andrew Kotze thought Optimus might have died somewhere close to the house.
“After a week, I became convinced someone had stolen him.
“He always comes to me when I call his name and if he was dead, we would have smelled him already,” she said.
Optimus means the world to De Winter and came into her life when she was going through many struggles.
“I went far away, dusted myself off and decided to start a new life for myself.
“Optimus and I came to this house to heal,” De Winter said.
“We progressed and enjoyed our quiet time with God who has blessed us immensely.
“We will always be grateful for Kotze for looking after us, but he does not deserve this grief,” she said.
De Winter said that Optimus was not the first dog to go missing in this area and she believed there was a dog-snatching syndicate operating in the area.
She has reached out to the SPCA and security specialist Mike Bolhuis.
Tshwane SPCA general manager Dewald Wahlstrand said dognappings are a major problem in Gauteng.
He advised dog owners to be more vigilant to keep their dogs safe.
“If people have an electric gate, they need to make sure it is secure so people can’t lift it off its track and break into their homes.
“Another trend we have seen is people pulling dogs over walls or fences by their leashes,” he said.
If anyone has further details on Optimus or think they have seen him, please contact Mike Bolhuis on 082 447 6116 or Phil Vermeulen 082 604 4598
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