As a pet owner, there’s nothing more heart-stopping than scouring the earth in search of your pooch and not being able to find them. One Cape Town woman had a rather traumatic experience when walking her dog around Table Mountain. Lisette Lombard was reportedly forced to pay a R500 ransom to a group of dog-nappers after her 12-year-old Jack Russel, named Jolie, was nabbed on Saturday, October 9, reports News24.
According to Lombard, her beloved pooch was trailing behind at about 20 metres, with Jolie disappearing around 11. Lombard states that she was heading towards Rhodes Memorial when she noticed that her furry friend was missing. The next three hours saw Lombard in a panic as she desperately searched for Jolie before receiving an alarming phone call.
However, this was no ordinary “we have your dog” phone call. The alleged kidnappers had found Lombard’s number on the tag around Jolie’s neck. After a considerable back-and-forth, the group of four men settled to meet at Blue Route Mall in Tokai around 19:00 the evening.
“He said he would not tell me where my dog was until I give him the money. I said, ok, I was going to give the reward if we can arrange to meet somewhere. Then he told me a name of an area close to Bellville and I said I can’t come there. I would rather meet somewhere central, maybe at Mowbray police station, to ensure my dog has a safe passage and I am safe. And I will give them their reward. He said, no, let’s meet at Blue Route Mall.”
My dog was kidnapped from Table mountain today by a syndicate. I was held randsom for a reward. She was literally only about 20m behind me and when I looked again she was gone. Luckily with the police in Kirstenhof we managed to get her back tonight @TableMountainNP @CityofCT ?? pic.twitter.com/AADhPL9vcG
— Lisette Lombard (@LisLombard) October 9, 2021
Lombard is eternally grateful to the police, who escorted and checked on her and Jolie after the traumatic events of the day. She warned the public to be vigilant as these dog-nappers operate in the Table Mountain area, paying vagrants to snatch pooches.
Meanwhile, three suspects have been arrested during a raid on an organised dogfighting event in Saxonsea, Atlantis, on Saturday, October 9. The trio was detained as well four dogs that were impounded by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA and are currently undergoing veterinary attention, reports Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
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Update: Trio arrested for running a dogfighting ring in Atlantis
Picture: Twitter