Dog Snatcher?

[Bunny19]

Does anyone know if there have been any incidents of dog snatching in either Dulwich Park or on the Rye recently? Reason for the question is that this morning whilst walking my dog in Dulwich Park I had a very uncomfortable experience, where I was clearly followed by a by a man showing uneasy interest in my dog and I also heard him on his mobile phone describing the breed to someone. I decided to head to the entrance on Court Lane where there were people when he quickly passed me and jumped into a vehicle that was waiting for him. Now obviously I can?t say for sure this was his motive but just wanted people with dogs to stay vigilant in case.

[PeckhamRose]

Did you take a note of the car and registration number and note his physical appearance / heigt build hair colour / accent / colour / clothing / distinguishing marks yourself, so that if anyone does now experience this you can say whether it was the same person or not.

[Jimbob]

lord give me strength.

[first mate]

What sort of dog do you own? If it looks anything like a Staffie/Pitbull or mastiff, an Akita or Husky/Malamute then chances are your fears are grounded. These are the favoured dogs of the moment. Dogs are also stolen to be used as bait for fighting dogs but would tend to be smaller breeds.

I believe a young woman was accosted on the Rye some time ago and attempts made to take her dog.

It would be helpful to have a description of the man.

[bigbadwolf]

Bunny19 I think it could be a lot worse than you think, much worse. The individual you encountered was what they call a casting agent. Basically what they do is travel Europe and the developing world looking for talent to star in these very violent and sadistic videos where animals fornicate with well endowed male leads which often result in distress for the poor pooch. If you doubt me I can mail you some eye watering footage I filmed just literally a few days ago in my basement.

[bigbadwolf]

Or alternatively you could just book a weekend off in Amsterdam.

[cate]

Jimbob Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> lord give me strength.

What does this mean?

[candj]

cate Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Jimbob Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > lord give me strength.

>

>

> What does this mean?

I'm pretty sure it has to do with the "strange man at peckham rye park" thread. Would cut and paste, but am completely inept at these sorts of things.

[Sam SLP]

Hello,

Am writing a dog snatch related story for the paper this week. Would be good to hear from anyone involved, including Bunny19.

Thanks.

Sam

[email protected]

[KalamityKate]

Its very concerning to think that there may be dog snatchers in the area. My first thought is to inform the Park Warden in Dulwich Park. He can get the local police over very quickly and if they know there may be a problem then it would lead to more policing in the park, which I'm all in favour of.

The Park Warden is normally there from 0830. Alternatively, go to the cafe in the park as I believe they also have good contact with the local police.

Please tell us what type of dog you have - I walk around the park most days and the jungle telegraph is an excellent way to warn other dog walkers but also to keep people on the alert for this guy.

[ClareC]

This is really concerning, what time of day did this happen?

[parsnip-io]

As a dog owner, and park walker, that's a worrying incident. In the Summer we saw posters up on a tree (Dulwich Park) of a small dog that had disappeared while out for a walk in the park (I think it was a Maltese terrier type of dog). So I can only assume from that, that it has happened before. Devastating for the owners. Because of that we always keep our dog within range, never letting him run out of eye-shot. As KalamityKate says - would be interesting to know your dog's breed, so others can be alerted.

[dulwichmum]

This is frightful. I am terrified to let my dog off the lead now. Please let this be a mistake. I hope that someone was just wanting to get themselves a dog like yours (Bunny19). I have people stop me in the park all the time to ask me what breed my dog is.

I like to see good in everyone, I mean, this is not Lambeth afterall.

[Thomasina70]

I saw a man steal a terrier puppy out of a car on Wood Vale in December. He was white, about 6 ft, slim and was wearing tracksuit bottoms and a flat cap. The guy who owned the dog tried to find him and we worked out he must have lived quite close as he disappeared quite quickly. This was outside my house. I saw him spot the dog in the car and he went away. He came back about 10 mins later (wearing gloves), broke into the car and stole the dog. The police were not interested. I saw the guy last week going into the estate on Lordship Lane (opposite the end of Wood Vale.

[bigbadwolf]

It never ceases to surprise me what people put in their sandwiches these days.

[Dez]

I saw a man steal a terrier puppy out of a car on Wood Vale in December.

Why was the puppy left alone in that car?

[boosboss]

Dez Wrote:

> I saw a man steal a terrier puppy out of a car on

Wood Vale in December.

Why was the puppy left alone in that car?

What difference does it make after the event? It may be that you want to berate the puppy's owner, but the wrong doer is the thief!

[sammy]

it may be worth all those concerned to consider having their dogs marked with a tattoo, i know it sounds silly but i had a few people asking weird questions about my chihuahua and as soon as i mention he has a tattoo they are not interested. Its easy to have carried out via the national tattoo register. With micro chipping it is easy to remove the chip however a tattoo is impossible to remove. If the dog goes missing like the micro chip all details are held on database and makes it easy to match dog with owner.

[Applespider]

Visiting someone to drop something off and have a quick cuppa who is allergic to dogs? Or isn't allowed pets because of their lease, especially a puppy that may pee from nervousness in new situations? There are all sorts of reasons to leave a dog in a car for 15 minutes or so occasionally which should be OK unless it's particularly hot/cold or for much longer. Sure you wouldn't want to plan to do so but sometimes stuff comes up and it's the only option. Perhaps the guy thought that leaving the puppy in the car for 15 minutes was better than leaving it at home alone for hours?

Am amazed the police weren't interested given that there was a witness to it and there must have been damage to the car as well as the dog theft. Nasty crime though for both the distress caused to the dog and the owner. Hope that it doesn't prove widespread

[cate]

Bunny19,

Why haven't you replied to the questions posted after your original posting? Your answers would be very helpful.

Sammy - yikes, how would a mirochip be removed other than by going to a vet? I shudder to think? Is your dog tattoed inside the ear?

[sammy]

yeah inside his ear, had it done as a young puppy

people will do anything to get hold of desired dogs such as the toy breeds.

[Stephen]

Sammy,

Where did you have it done?

S

[sammy]

when we brought he he had to have it done, but the national dog tattoo register cAn let you know of local places. are you thinking of having your dog done. What breed you got?

[Tony.London Suburbs]

Am I going mad or is there STILL no description of this Guy?

IT WOULD HELP otherwise pointless surely.

[first mate]

cate,

I think there are people out there capable of all sorts and digging a microchip out, or attempting to, is not completely beyond the realms of the imagination. Do you remember the young male who was found by police to have portions of his puppy's ears on his person? He had attempted a bit of 'home cropping' and cut off bits of his staff puppy's ears to make it look 'harder'.