Scammers Targeting People Looking for Lost Pets
(Savannah, GA) - April 17, 2008
For most people, pets are part of the family, and whey they go missing, those families suffer immeasurable hurt.
While other people will do what they can to help locate the lost pet, others try to take advantage of the situation.
Last week, pet lover June Keel had her beloved Shih Tzu go missing. Ms. Keel posted flyers, placed ads with local papers, and used the Internet to spread the word on her pet in any hopes of getting him back.
Sadly, her hopes were dashed this morning when she received an email from her listing on Petfinder.com demanding a ransom for her dog:
“From: Mike Thomas
I won’t lie to you i stole this dog….and the reason why i stole is that ..i need help my mum is in Nigeria dieing of cancer ..and i decided to steal it and i know i will found the owner contact addres ..so before i release it ..you are going to pay sum of $600…i swear this dog is with me”
Several emails were exchanged, with Ms. Keel establishing a meet up at a local public place. However, Mr. Thomas declined until the money he demanded was sent to his “brother in Africa.” Ms. Keel did not balk, and the man replied back that he would “sell it to another person.”
“It is an incredible shame that people try to capitalize off of another’s pain,” says Lisa Scarbrough, president and founder of Coastal Pet Rescue. “We’re still hopeful he will be found.”
This pet was microchipped recently by Coastal Pet Rescue. The registry has been notified and does not allow for microchip numbers to be transferred without documentation from the previous registrant.
The black and white Shih Tzu went missing from Windsor Forest on April 9th. Anyone spotting him or who has recently found a dog matching his description are asked to please call Coastal Pet Rescue at 912-228-3538.
In an effort to help pet owners get back their missing pets, Coastal Pet Rescue will present a low-cost microchip clinic on Saturday, May 10 from 11 am to 2 pm at TailsSpin on Duffy. Cost is $10 per pet. All pets must be on leash or in a carrier and have proof of current rabies vaccination.
Coastal Pet Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal rescue organization dedicated to saving the lives of homeless, abused and neglected dogs and cats in Savannah and surrounding areas. Founded in February 2003, Coastal Pet Rescue changes the lives of homeless pets in Chatham, Bryan and Effingham Counties through its foster home program and small capacity shelter, Camp Pawsawhile Retreat.
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