The police in Nelson Mandela Bay have identified an alarming new trend in which robbers attack family pets to shut them up before breaking in to homes or holding up their occupants.
At least three cases have been reported in the past two months in which dogs were killed or severely injured.
Police have also observed the return of an old trend in which thieves gain access to homes under false pretences, using fake credentials or the property owner’s personal details, before fleeing with the victim’s valuables.
In January, The Herald reported on an incident at Maruska Muller’s Kabega Park home where her three dogs suffered multiple cut and stab wounds during an attempted robbery.
Muller returned home to find her 13-year-old Labradors, Stone and Mia, and one-year-old Boerboel, Isabella, covered in blood in the backyard.
Intruders had scaled the walls of her property, but the brave dogs managed to fight them off, sustaining serious injuries in the process.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said investigators were concerned that the attack reflected a new crime trend in the Bay.
“This was the third incident since December where it appears the assailants specifically targeted the dogs before attempting a robbery or break-in.
“We hope these are isolated incidents, but we cannot discount the possibility that it is becoming a trend,” Naidu said.
In December, police were called to a house in KwaNobuhle where five men allegedly forced their way into a home and robbed the occupants of their valuables.
Upon entering the property, the attackers reportedly shot and killed the owner’s dog.
A few weeks later, in January, a Despatch homeowner woke up in the middle of the night after hearing a gunshot.
He then noticed that his dog had been shot and was confronted by two armed men as he left the house to investigate.
“The homeowner was held at gunpoint and forced into the house by the suspects.
“They demanded cash and other valuables and ransacked the house before fleeing the scene.
“The dog succumbed to the gunshot wound,” Naidu said.
She said in another incident in Bridgemead, a homeowner returned home to find one of her dogs dead in the swimming pool and another dog was missing.
Naidu said dogs formed an important part of a home’s security as they were often alerted the occupant or neighbours of unwanted activity in and around the property.
“We suspect that dogs are being targeted to shut them up.
“In some cases dogs can attack intruders, but in most cases they simply make a noise and alert residents and neighbours to the presence of intruders.
“Never ignore a barking dog. Should you suspect trouble, avoid going out into your yard alone to investigate.
“Rather notify the police or your private security firm that you suspect something is amiss, and have them do a thorough inspection of your property,” Naidu said.
The second trend, involving deception, was highlighted on January 31, when two suspects gained access to a Framesby home during the day by using false credentials and personal information of the homeowner.
The owner, who works from home, had left the house to run some errands.
When she returned, the domestic worker informed her that she had allowed in two men who had claimed to be there for a lighting inspection.
“It appears that the culprits knew the homeowner’s name and used it to convince the domestic worker to let them in,” Naidu said.
“By the time the homeowner returned the men had left again, and they noticed several valuable items were missing from the house.”
Naidu said a case of robbery was under investigation.
“Culprits need something as simple as a piece of mail from the mailbox and they can use that resident’s name to gain access.
“Homeowners should be cautious and educate their employees on ways to verify any visitors at the front door,” she said.
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