'Suspicious' man heard whistling to call over dogs in Poundbury
Dorchester Police are warning dog owners to be vigilant
Last updated 12th Mar 2021
A ‘suspicious man’ has been heard whistling to dogs that don’t belong to him in fields opposite Poundbury cemetery.
Police are warning owners to be vigilant while walking dogs and to always keep them close.
The incident happened yesterday (11 March) at around 12:45pm when officers were called to the fields.
It was reported a man appeared to be whistling for a dog that did not belong to him. Officers searched the area but it’s thought the man left prior to their arrival.
A spokesperson for Dorchester Police said:
“Please be vigilant whilst out walking your dogs. Keep your dog close to you at all times. Make sure your dog has a good recall if you let them off the lead. Keep some of their favourite treats in your pocket to entice them back to you.
Don’t leave your dog unattended anywhere. Make sure you have some up to date pictures of your dog from all angles including any distinctive features. Make sure your dog is microchipped and all the details are up to date.”
Advice has also been issued to dog walkers in the Weymouth and Portland area.
The RSPCA had this advice for dog owners:
A spokesperson said:
“We’d urge all dog owners to take precautions to protect their pooches by neutering their pets, ensuring they are microchipped with up-to-date contact details registered, ensuring they wear a collar with contact details embroidered or an engraved ID tag.
“We’d also advise that owners never leave their pets tied up outside shops or alone in cars, ensure their gardens are secure with gates locked, and ensure their pet has a good recall and doesn’t stray too far when off-lead on walks.
“Anyone who suspects their dog may have been stolen should immediately alert police, contact their microchip company to register their pet as stolen and inform local rescue groups, vets, dog walkers and neighbours.
“It is a legal requirement to have dogs microchipped but it is not against the law to leave other pets, such as cats, without a chip. However, the RSPCA would encourage all owners to get their pets microchipped.
“Microchipping is a very easy procedure. It involves a tiny microchip being quickly and simply inserted under the animal’s skin and this then gives the pet their own unique code.
“The microchip can be scanned and matched to the owner’s contact details which are kept on a database.
“Thousands of pets are lost and stolen every year and many are never reunited with their owners but microchipping can help to change that. While collars and tags can get caught or removed – microchipping identifies pets permanently and effectively.
“If an owner moves house or changes their telephone number they must make sure that they tell the database they are registered with so that they have up-to-date contact details.”