Dog theft is on the increase in Paarl
Crime in general is on the rise and so is the theft of dogs – especially high risk dogs like Pit Bulls, Boerboels, Boxers, Bull Terriers, Huskies – and any cute puppy or small dog!
In Paarl alone 5 dogs have gone missing in the last 3 days. These are peoples pets, their family members. Only one of these dogs was wearing a collar and none of them were tagged or micro-chipped.
On the flip side of the coin an elderly Jack Russell was found last week. She is clearly missing her family but because she has no form of identification her family has still not been found.
There is nothing more heartbreaking than losing your pet and never finding them again. There are however precautions that you can take.
Dogs left in the front garden with low walls are easy targets, so if you have to leave your dogs alone rather keep them in your house! It is much easier to clean up any mess than to have to go through the agony of your dog being stolen.
It is essential to be vigilant and to protect your dogs from becoming the victims of theft and possibly being used in dog fights.
If it is not possible to do keep your dog inside then at least ensure that they cannot be seen from the road. Increase the height of your fence, use spikes, electric fencing etc. Ensure that your gates cannot be opened and are kept padlocked.
If you have a puppy never let it play outside by itself! You probably would never leave a small child to play outside unattended – the same goes for your puppy! Anyone can walk off with your puppy without being noticed.
All dogs should be micro chipped to ensure that they can be returned to you should they ever get out by accident or if they are stolen and sold to someone else.
A micro chip is the size of a grain of rice and is implanted under the dogs skin. If your pet is stolen and the buyer takes him to the vet then the owners details will be found on the chip.
A micro chip will cost you anything from R220 at your local vet. This is a once-off fee which will ensure your dog will always be able to be returned to you should he go missing / be stolen. There are several organisations which aim to micro chip pets at a cheaper rate (between R100 and R150). Keep an eye on the media for these special offers. Always ensure that you use a reputable company and be aware of cheap imitations. Always consult your vet if you are uncertain.
Collars and name tags are also important and provide the quickest way for a found dog to be returned to its owner. So many dogs that go missing are not wearing their collars and tags. Name tags are really affordable and can be purchased from most vet shops (between R50 and R70 per tag) or online (www.pettags.co.za – R86 for 2 tags including postage).
If the unthinkable should happen and your dog is stolen you need to act immediately!
First things first: Speak to your neighbours and the postman, the security companies and passers-by to determine if they saw anyone suspicious close to your home. Hand out flyers and put up posters in the area as soon as you can. Post them at your main exits and entrances, at your local shops and shopping malls, put flyers on the wind shields of cars in large parking spaces.
You never know who might have seen something and it is very possible that you dog was taken to be resold on the street a few blocks away. Alert your locals vets and Animal Rescue organisations shelters (also the SPCA) and report your dog as being stolen to your local police and radio station.
You need to act right away!
Prevention is always better than cure though so take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of your dogs – NOW!
Article by Louise Spagnoulo from Lost and Found Pets – Helderbeg