CCPO helps reunite missing dog with owner

Christmas came early for the Community Crime Prevention Organisation (CCPO) after a relieved dog owner insisted they accept her reward for finding her lost animal. Sandra Bosman moved to Toti from Pretoria on 23 November and her black and tan dachshund, Choppies, went missing from her house in Amanzimtoti on 1 December.

“Choppies is my baby that I’ve had for nine years,” said his mom. “With him not knowing the area, I thought I would never see him again.” Sandra posted a reward of R2,500 on social media, which she then upped to R5,000 and then R10,000 on 8 December as she grew increasingly desperate.

“After we saw the post on Facebook, a picture of the dog was circulated on our CCPO crime group,” said acting manager, Rupert Smit.

On Monday, 10 December Sandra received reports from the community about Choppies being spotted. The first person she called was tow truck driver, Bobby Hale, who had been keeping an eye open for him. Unfortunately, he missed finding the dog by “mere seconds” according to Sandra.

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While out on patrol, Rupert and CCPO guard Hopewell Nkosingiphile recognised Choppies running madly along Kingsway, weaving in and out of the traffic. “Having to do traffic control and catch the terrified dog was no easy job but in the end we managed to catch and return him to his emotional owner.

“There was a significant reward offered, which we were reluctant to take, as the people are CCPO members and we are a non-profit company, but the relieved owner insisted she wanted to pay us the reward. Thanks Sandra, the money will be of great assistance this month, as our staff bonuses are due and the reward will be split among all the CCPO staff members,” said Rupert.

For his trouble, Bobby was also gifted with R5,000 from Sandra. “Thanks to the CCPO and Bobby. Choppies is doing well, although he is still a bit shaken. He hasn’t lost weight and his paws are fine, which makes me suspect someone had him in their yard and they threw him out or he escaped. I used to stop by that same stretch of road and call for him four or five times a day. I’m just so relieved to have my baby back. I also want to thank the Toti community who have been so wonderful during all of this,” said Sandra.

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