RSPCA in warning over claims thieves posing as officers to steal dogs

SCAMMERS have been posing a RSPCA officials in order to steal dogs, it has been reported.

There has been reports of white vans pulling dog walkers over on the side of the road asking if their pet is microchipped.

They also ask them to put their dogs in the van so the animal can be checked.

The RSPCA has now issued a warning to people who may come across the scammers posing as officials from the animal charity.

A spokesman for the charity said its officers do sometimes use white vans without an livery, but that all its staff wear uniforms and have ID on them. RSPCA staff sometimes use unmarked vans for security reasons, he said.

It comes after a report on Facebook claimed there had been an incident in the Heanor area of Derbyshire, although the RSPCA spokesman said it had not received any reports of incidents in the Staffordshire or Derbyshire areas.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “We have heard anecdotally that there has been a rise in the number of pet thefts during the past year due to the value of many breeds and the demand for pets during lockdown.

“We’re also concerned about some reports in pockets of the country that a handful of people may have been posing as RSPCA inspectors in order to try to take dogs.

“In the sightings of vans we have looked into so far, they appear to be genuine RSPCA inspec- tors going about their normal duties and sometimes vans are not branded with our logo for security reasons.

“We would like to remind and reassure the public that all of our officers wear branded uniforms and carry issued RSPCA identification.

“If an RSPCA officer is in contact with you, or visits your home and you are unsure of their credentials, then please ask to see their official ID and look for the RSPCA badge on their clothing.

“If you have taken these steps and are concerned someone isn’t who they say they are, you can always ring our national call centre on 0300 1234 999 for confirmation.

“If you believe someone is impersonating a member of our staff please report the incident to us and to your local police.”

Meanwhile, Burton’s RSPCA shelter in Hillfield Lane, Stretton, has received a surprise donation of £2,000 over Valentine’s weekend to help it pay for the car of unwanted pets during the pandemic.

The donation was made by Support Adoption For Pets - a grant giving animal charity started by pets superstore Pets At Home, which has branches in Burton and Derby, to recognise the tireless efforts and hard work at the Burton shelter since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

In total, the charity is giving away nearly £600,000 to rescue centres up and down the country, to help them look after the animals in their care as the financial hardship of Covid-19 continues.

The Burton shelter is partnered with Burton’s Pets at Home store through Support Adoption For Pets’ Charity of the Year programme and through this received a total of £1,972 in 2020.

All of our officers wear branded uniforms and carry issued RSPCA identification.

RSPCA spokesman