Council warning over dog snatchers

POTENTIAL DOG burglars allegedly posing as animal welfare officers or dog wardens have prompted warnings from welfare professionals.

A Hampshire lady recently reported that a man attempted to remove her St. Bernard from her home, whilst claiming that he was from the council and had seen her abusing the dog.

The scruffily dressed man ignored her requests for identification and attempted to get her to hand over her dog, after which he escaped in w white van, luckily without the dog.

After reporting the incident to Rush Moor Council, the woman was advised that no person had been instructed to remove the dog and that any council employee would have the requisite identification. Owners are being advised to remain vigilant and always to ask for identification under similar circumstances.