Money reason for dog thefts?

Press, 16 August 1988, Page 4

Money reason for dog thefts?

Financial gain is seen by the R.S.P.C.A. as the main reason behind thefts of dobermans and rottweilers in Christchurch. Bull terriers are also being targeted and although the society has no evidence, it believes they may used for dog fights. An inspector for the Canterbury branch, Miss Barbara Ash, said rottweilers and dobermans had a reputation for being good guard dogs. “In a lot of cases these dogs are stolen and change hands very quickly for money. Sometimes they go for very little money.” Miss Ash said the breeds were easy to sell. “I think it is more for financial gain than dog fighting.” She said well-bred rottweilers bought legitimately sell for up to $6OO and dobermans can bring $550. Bull terriers, which have a reputation for

being placid towards humans but aggressive towards other animals, were more likely to end up in fighting rings, she said.

“It is common knowledge there is dog fighting going on but it is a very dangerous game to inform on. That is why we never get a lot of information. “We got very close once but it was either the wrong day or they got wind that we had an informant.”

Miss Ash said concerned owners should get their animals tattooed with a number on an inside leg to aid identifi-. cation of the animal if it is stolen. Mrs Estelle Win, a founder of the dog care organisation in Christchurch, Dogwatch, said she regularly received calls from people asking about missing rottweilers, dobermans and bull terriers. Many realised their

pets may have been stolen, she said. “I am alarmed because the type of people who steal dogs are not people who would have the welfare of the animals at heart.

“Some of them are made savage. A lot of people say the rottweiler is a savage dog. I say no. Some are like great big babies. It depends on how they are treated.” She said it appeared that in some cases the animals were taken from Christchurch. Mrs Win recalled an instance of one being found in Dunedin. In another instance a man traced his bull terrier to Timaru where it had died in a fight. She said people seemed scared to say anything about dog fighting.

“It is an evil that should be stamped out. I do not think the laws are anywhere near tough enough,” she said.