Missing pet may be with your ex
Jilted lover hits back
JILTED lovers going through a messy break-up are a leading cause behind missing and stolen animals, a pet detective says.
New police figures reveal dozens of pets, including dogs, cats, birds and even fish, have been reported stolen across the Gold Coast in the 12 months to June.
The Bulletin has revealed several cases of alleged pet theft in the past year, including a corgi that was not returned to its owners by pet-sitters, and a German shepherd that was taken in similar circumstances.
Both dogs were eventually returned to their owners.
Pet detective Kirilly Cull said she believed 80 per cent of animals that went missing were taken by people known to the pet owner.
“For example, you’ve got the disgruntled neighbour, the disgruntled family member, an ex-partner, somebody who has been at your property and taken a liking to your animal … but mostly a lot of cases at the moment are related to people who are going through breakups,” Ms Cull said.
“It’s just like children (during separations).
“If they want something they can take it, but then if you want to get it back you have to go to court.
“And we have to evaluate what the story is.”
She said pet thefts were possibly driven by vendettas, as well as money and greed.
The pet detective said people could be charged with stealing by failing to return to a found companion animal.
Police figures show 234 pets have been reported stolen in the past five financial years, 160 of which were dogs.
Twenty four of them were feared stolen – the majority of which were dogs – from July to December.
Sergeant Clint Drew, of Southport Station, said investigating pet thefts was not “black and white”.
Sergeant Drew said often the stories of those involved changed and he believed, at times, perpetrators used the animals to be vindictive.
“With those pet incidents, sometimes you’ve got to take a different approach and you’ve got to look below the initial (complaint) and just find out why the (pet) is being held ransom.
“Nine times out of 10 there’s always a vested interest.”
He said generally people who notified police about a possible pet theft had “evidence of some form”.
A Queensland Police Service spokesman said: “Within the Gold Coast district there is no noticeable trend in terms of pet theft. Reports of alleged pet theft have, on average, remained consistent over the past few years.
“Theft of pets is stealing, which is ultimately an offence.”