‘Bring R1000 or lose dogs’
Last week several residents contacted Review to report incidents where their beloved dogs were either stolen or where attempts were made to steal dogs.
POLOKWANE – Last week several residents contacted Review to report incidents where their beloved dogs were either stolen or where attempts were made to steal dogs.
Janine Gerber said she came home after work last Friday to find her beloved Toy Pom, Lilly, missing.
When she opened her postbox, she found a note on the back of an envelope demanding a ransom for the dog. The note said Gerber should bring R1 000 to a well known food store in Thabo Mbeki Street, otherwise her dog would be killed.
“At first I thought it was somebody’s idea of a joke and I called my neighbours to see if my dog showed up at one of their houses. She was nowhere to be found.
“I spoke to my fiancé and we agreed that we wouldn’t go to the meeting place. We agreed that there was no guarantee that the dog would be there and we could be targeted because the culprits knew we had cash on us.”
Gerber said she hoped her dog was unharmed.
“Lilly is only seven months old. She is my baby and I want to plead with the people who took her to please look after her and bring her back to her mommy and daddy,” she said.
Residents in Môregloed said they caught a man in the act while he tried to lure dogs from a property in Kleinenberg Street. The man ran away before they could call the police or apprehend him.
Polokwane police spokesperson, WO Lesiba Ramoshaba, said even though dog napping in the city can be linked to dog fights, there were many reasons why dogs were stolen. He said whatever the reasons for stealing a dog, the motive was almost always money.
According to Ramoshaba, specific breeds were used for dog fights including Pitt Bulls and Staffordshire Terriers thanks to their sturdy build. He said dog fighters bought smaller breeds to use as bait dogs. These dogs are then used to train the fighter dogs.
Ramoshaba said the police found that many people who sold dogs to dog fighters, did so to support their drug habits.
The Polokwane SPCA offered tips for pet owners on how to protect their dogs:
• Never advertise dogs for free;
• Keep pets in the house as much as possible;
• Keep pets in an enclosed area from where they can’t escape, and
• ensure fences are high enough to prevent anyone snatching dogs over the fence.
Limpopo police spokesperson, Col Ronél Otto, said residents should report theft of animals. If you have information, contact the Crime Line at 0860 10111 or send an SMS to 32211. SMSs cost R1 each.
She said residents can also contact their nearest police stations.
