A Grassy Park cop has been lauded for hounding skollies after they stole two pit bulls and tried to extort money from the owner.
The 37-year-old owner, who asked not to be named, says tears of joy flowed when Captain Ashley Petersen returned both her puppies, Lisa and Bella, within a day of the
complaint landing on his desk.
The Lotus River owner says
during the early hours of Monday morning, she woke up after hearing her gate opening, then discovered her six-month-old puppies were gone.
The next day she called the police station.
Petersen says he happened to be in the charge office at the time the worried woman called. He was barking mad when he heard the skelms had the gall to return and try to extort money from the mom for the return of her pups.
SAFE: Pit bulls Lisa and Bella are back at home thanks to top cop’s work
“I was determined to catch them because I know they like to use the pit bulls for these dog fights,” says the captain.
So he set out on a paw patrol to gather information and his dogged determination paid off on Wednesday, when he found out one of the dogs was being held at the home of a gangster in Ottery.
He explains: “I went to the leadership of the Mongrels gang on Wednesday and told them I want that dog.
“I left my number and they called me to say the dog was there. I went to get the dog but the
suspect ran away.
“In the investigation, I found that the Mongrels in Ottery had the one dog and the other dog was taken by the Dog Pounds in Lotus River.”
The mom says she could not believe her eyes when Petersen arrived at her home with Lisa.
On Thursday, Petersen went to the leaders of the Dog Pounds and again demanded they tell him the location of the second pup.
“I made sure they know I am not playing around and they told me who bought the puppy. I went to the man and he said he bought it for R200 because he was scared the skollies would use it for dog fights,” says the cop.
“There was no arrest because I couldn’t find the suspects that sold it in the first place.”
PROBE: Ashley Petersen
Lisa was taken to the SPCA on Wednesday, while Bella returned home with fleas and ticks. The relieved owner says: “Lisa was very weak and we took her to the SPCA and she's still there.
“Bella had ticks and fleas and was also very weak and had no appetite, but she came home
(Saturday) and is doing better.
“Captain Petersen is amazing,” the surprised woman says.