Cops warn pet owners about rise in dog snatchings

Qingpu district police have advised dog owners to keep their pets leashed in the wake of a recent spate of dog snatching cases.

Police said there have been more cases of dog theft as winter approaches, according to a press release from the Qingpu District Public Security Bureau.

A resident surnamed Li reported Thursday that someone had attempted to steal his dog near the intersection of Geyou and Fuxing roads. Officers arrived at the scene to find Li's dog lying on the ground on the verge of death. Nearby, Li and a bystander had restrained a man surnamed Gao, who they said had tried to steal the animal.

Once in police custody, Gao admitted to attempting to steal the dog. Gao said he noticed the dog wandering on the road and decided to take it. He gave the dog a bone that he had laced with drugs, police said. The dog took the bone and soon collapsed. Gao hit the animal several times with a bat to make sure it would not run away.

Li found Gao just as he was lifting the unconscious animal onto his motorcycle.

Police did not offer further details about how Li restrained Gao, whom they arrested on theft charges.

Police urged residents to report suspicious people who appear to be dog snatchers. They also warned residents against eating dog meat because it might have come from a drugged or poisoned animal.