Dogs stolen for dog-fighting Waikato, WA (NZ) Incident Date: Friday, Sep 30, 2005 Disposition: Open Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

Case ID: 5810 Classification: Fighting, Theft Animal: dog (non pit-bull), dog (pit-bull) View more cases in WA (NZ) Login to Watch this Case

A Waikato gang is masquerading as dog control officers and stealing pets for dog fighting. Members of the gang, believed to use a white van, tell people they are council dog control officers.

People have called Hamilton, Waipa and Waikato district animal control officers about pets they thought were impounded only to be told the council officers knew nothing about them.

"Dog control staff told me they believe a group is stealing small dogs for bait and larger staffies or pitbulls for fighting," Hamilton woman Catrina Mansfield said after trying to find out what happened to her carin terrier Sparky which was stolen from her car.

The dog had been left in the car in a central city carpark for less than 10 minutes.

In that time, someone smashed the window and took the dog.

A $500 reward had drawn no response, she said.

Hamilton City Council animal control officer Michelle Goodin confirmed unit officers suspected a dog-napping ring was operating in the Waikato.

"A lot of people are coming in thinking we have their dogs and when we don't, (they) tell a similar story of a white van in the area their dog was taken from," Mrs Goodin said.

"When questioned, the men tell people they're dog control officers."

It wasn't until Hamilton staff talked to their counterparts in Waipa and Waikato districts that they learned of a pattern of thefts.

Mrs Goodin said dog control staff from each council wore uniforms and drove clearly marked vehicles.

"When a dog is taken a seizure notice and a card are left in the mailbox. Our staff all wear name tags and carry photo identification cards," she said.

Two sorts of dogs appear to be targeted by the ring.

Fighting dogs such as staffordshire and pitbull terriers are being taken along with small, fluffy dogs.

Sources told the Times the smaller dogs were often used as bait for fighting dogs in training.

"They starve the older ones, make them mean and then chuck one of those little buggers in a pit. They rip them to shreds, it's very messy, they don't stand a chance," a man said.

Mrs Goodin said the dogs being stolen from the Waikato were often taken out of the area. One taken from Otorohanga recently was recovered in South Auckland just hours later.

Who is organising dog fights in the Waikato remains unclear.

Historically, the Mongrel Mob and skinheads have been involved in organising dog fights but Mob members told a source that since a bust earlier in the year they were no longer involved.

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References

Stuff.co.nz - Oct 22, 2005

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