Chantal Harris, Parklands
I volunteer at Daisy Animal Rescue Trust and assist its founder, Cheryl Lyn Potgieter, from time to time.
I write to you on behalf of Ms Potgieter, to share with you the wonderful work that can be achieved when community members and the various arms of the law work together.
You may have read about Loki, the 4-month-old pit bull puppy that was abducted along Blaauwberg Road on Friday June 16 and then later returned to his owner, Dirk Ewer, on Wednesday June 28. It made the rounds on Facebook. What you may not be aware of, however, is the way in which Loki was tracked down and returned home.
A case was opened at the Table View police station and was assigned to Sergeant Jacinta Govender and Constable Warda Christians.
The two officers obtained CCTV footage captured from a nearby MyCiTi bus stop and from this were able to obtain the registration number of the vehicle used in the abduction of the pup.
Through further investigative measures, the two officers eventually tracked down the location of the premises where they suspected Loki was being held.
Sergeant Govender and Constable Christians contacted Cheryl Lyn, founder of Daisy Animal Rescue Trust, an animal welfare organisation based in Table View, requesting her to assist them on their call-out to the premises.
Cheryl Lyn, armed with her pet microchip scanner, was to scan the puppy for a microchip, if found at the premises.
As it turns out, the puppy found at the premises was scanned and identified as the missing Loki.
Daisy Animal Rescue Trust wants to extend its gratitude and give recognition to Sergeant Govender and Constable Christians for their hard work and dedication in dealing with this case of a stolen pet, where other officers might not necessarily have done the same.
In a society where animal theft — especially cases where dogs are stolen for dog fighting — has become so prevalent, we need more police officers like them.
