RSPCA issue warning to dog owners after thieves pretend to be them to steal puppies
RSPCA have issued a warning to dog owners that thieves are pretending to be their officers in a bid to steal puppies.
The warning came after a criminal posing as one of their charity workers tried to snatch a Golden Retriever puppy from the owner’s home.
The animal charity has expressed concern about rising pet thefts throughout the pandemic as the demand and value for certain cat and dog breeds has skyrocketed.
According to figures from the Pets4Homes website, based on around 150,000 online adverts, the average price being asked for puppies from March to September 2020 more than doubled.
Labrador and Golden Retrievers are among the most popular breeds in the UK. The latest incident occurred on Wednesday when a new puppy owner received a knock on their door in the New Southgate area of north London.
The man outside claimed to be from the RSPCA and asked to see the owner’s Golden Retriever puppy after hearing a complaint about a barking dog.
Clare Dew, the animal charity’s Chief Inspector said: "Thankfully the dog owner was immediately suspicious of the man, who was wearing no uniform.
"They secured the door with the security chain and refused to allow the man access to the puppy.
"The man left the address and the puppy's owner contacted us. I checked to see if we had any officers in the area at the time and we didn't."
Ms Dew described the incident as "extremely worrying" and urged pet owners to check the identity of officers who come to the home.
Ms Dew added: "We would like to remind and reassure the public that our inspectors and rescue officers all wear branded uniforms and carry ID.
"If one of our officers knocks on your door, please ask to see their ID and check their uniform for branding.
Our staff wear navy blue uniforms with the RSPCA logo, as well as white shirts with black ties and black epaulets.
"Most of our officers drive either white vans or fully branded, wrapped RSPCA vans.
All staff vehicles in London feature large branding imagery so are also easy to spot."
Ms Dew urged pet owners to report any incidents of suspected puppy snatchers posing as RSPCA workers to the charity and to the local police.
