St. Charles County Department of Community
Health & The Environment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 18, 2008

CONTACT:

Theresa Williams, Director, Division of Humane Services                                                                636−949−7407
Cameron Satterfield, Public Information Officer                                                                               636−949−7408

Alert for Pet Owners

Persons posing as animal control officers attempting to steal pets

St. Charles County, MO - Pet owners in St. Charles County should be on the lookout for a pair of men attempting to steal dogs by posing as animal control officers.

On Thursday, a woman in the Fairview Manor neighborhood near O’Fallon said a man tried to take her dog, which was staying outside her home in a fenced-in area. The man claimed to be an animal control officer, but did not show any identification. After being confronted, the man left without the dog in a van driven by a second suspect.

“We are obviously very concerned about this incident,” said Theresa Williams, the director of Humane Services for St. Charles County. “We don’t know why the men were attempting to take the dog. The fact that they were impersonating animal control officers is even more alarming, as some owners may be fooled into giving up their pet to these people.”

One of the suspects was wearing a black jacket without any identifying marks. The van used by the men was white with a red dog outline, similar to those used by Humane Services. Legitimate St. Charles County animal control officers wear uniforms with the County emblem and carry an identification badge. Their vehicles are also clearly marked with the County logo. If residents have any question about the identity of an animal control officer, they can call the Pet Adoption Center at (636) 949-7387.

For more information about the St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment, call (636) 949-7400 or visit www.scchealth.org.

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