Dog thefts
Fayette County, OH (US)Date: Sep 15, 2005
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
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Police are investigating a string of purebred dog thefts in a local community on Sept 15. Investigators believe the motive could be profit or something more sinister.
The Fayette County Humane Society said a woman is impersonating one of its agents and stealing pets, possibly to sell. But one theory is that the thief is using them as bait for pit bulls in training.
"The last couple of reports (were) of a woman with short blond hair, actually taking animals and said she was with the humane society, which she is not," said Ronda Terry, one of the county's two certified humane agents.
According to The Washington Court House Record-Herald, some impostors have even entered homes to remove pets. Other thieves have targeted the local dog pound.
"If they're purebreds, they resell them," Terry said.
She believes that's what happened in a recent case involving a stolen shih tzu. But she fears other stolen dogs have had a worse fate.
"We don't know what happens to them," Terry said. "They could be used for a puppy mill breeding program or for fighting dogs -- to train them."
Terry said smaller breeds can easily become bait for pit bulls, and often end up dead.
"It really can't defend itself against dogs trained for this," she said.
Experts hope the public will begin reporting more cases of suspicious agents.
"We're hoping people are aware and give us a license plate so we can pursue charges," Terry said.
Officials at The Ohio Humane Agent Association said impersonations aren't common. The Franklin County dog warden also said there is no state law prohibiting someone from posing as a humane agent. References | NBC - Sept 15, 2005 |
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