Dog Snatchers Target Matthews Woman
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MATTHEWS, NC — In less than 10 seconds, a Matthews woman says her chihuahua was gone. She is one victim of suspected dog snatchers who WCCB Charlotte viewers have spotted in Rock Hill, Matthews, Weddington and Waxhaw.
“It’s like stealing someone’s child,” said Amy Breckenridge Smith. “It’s terrifying. I can’t imagine.”
Breckenridge Smith owns a great dane rescue and stumbled upon the post on Facebook. That post warned dog owners of the group of people stealing dogs out of yards. It says thieves will sometimes tie plastic bags to trees in order to mark houses that have dogs.
She says usually there are two reasons people steal dogs: breeding and bait, as in dog fighting training bait.
“They have bad intentions,” said Breckenridge Smith. “They do not care that these are family members. They see them as possessions, as objects.”
In the case of the Matthews chihuahua, the owner was too afraid of the thieves to talk on camera, but she tells WCCB Charlotte the driver of a silver BMW took her dog. A person driving past saw it happen and chased the car down Antioch Church Road until the thief gave in and sat the dog out on the side of the road.
Rescue workers say the best defense: never turn your back.
“Like you watch your children, please, watch your dogs!” said Breckenridge Smith.
Investigators say they have not received any concrete reports of the dog snatchers, but if this happens to you, they want you to call so they can begin watching.
