Scam alert over fake RSPCA official seen approaching dog walkers

CRIMINALS in a ‘fake RSPCA van’ tried to steal a dog walker’s beloved pet in Derbyshire, it has been revealed after reports of a rise in such incidents.

Andrew Hubball said he was stopped by a man claiming to be from the animal rescue charity who said he was investigating dog thefts and asked that his black and white collie Jess be put in the back of the van, which had the RSPCA logo on it. The man claimed he would then check that postman Mr Hubball was

Jess’ owner. However, Mr Hubball refused after seeing the driver was still in the van with the engine running, and on asking for proof that they worked for the RSPCA, he says they suddenly drove away.

Mr Hubball, 52, says the incident, which took place in Hands Road, Heanor, Derbyshire, at around 2.40pm on Friday, February 12, has made him worry that people could have their dogs stolen.

He said: “If a kid had been walking the dog or an elderly person, they might’ve put them in the van.” Andrew says he had an inkling something wasn’t right as soon as he saw the men. “I was walking up to the recreation ground at Hands Road when a van pulled up,” he said. “It had an RSPCA sign on it. The driver stayed inside with the engine running and the passenger got out. He was wearing a uniform.

“He said dogs have been pinched in the area and they needed to check my dog to see if I’m the owner. He asked me to put Jess in the the van while he checked. Something just didn’t seem right. A normal animal vehicle has air vents, but there weren’t any. I asked him for identification and they drove off.”

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said they had heard there had 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”.

In a statement on its website, the RSPCA said it was “extremely worrying” it had received reports of people posing as fake RSPCA inspectors and impersonating its staff. “We want to ensure that the public, their animals and our own staff are safe, and that our officers can continue to carry out their vital work without being compromised by bogus officials.

“We’ve been made aware of a number of incidents in different areas of the country in which people have been targeted in their own homes or while out walking their dogs.”