Police are appealing to any victims of a man posing as a Thames-Coromandel District Council Animal control Officer to make contact.

Waikato Police District communications manager Andrew McAlley says while they're aware of an incident in Whitianga recently, without a formal complaint from victims their hands are effectively tied.

TCDC Bylaws & Compliance team leader Steve Hart says all of their Animal Control Officers carry identification and warrants. All their vehicles display the TCDC logo as pictured. Photo: TCDC

A man posing as an Animal Control Officer and driving a white Nissan ute removed a dog from a Whitianga property late last week.

The incident was only picked up after the owners rang the district council to enquire about their dog.

There was also a similar incident reported to council two weeks previously involving a man of Pacific Island descent driving a white ute claiming to be a council officer.

In that incident the man attempted to remove an Alsatian dog but was chased off the property by the owner.

But the issue facing police is that without a complaint from the victims they cannot begin an official investigation into incidents.

Andrew says once victims lay a complaint officers can then start talking to other police districts and matching any information provided, like registration plates or witness descriptions.

'In terms of complaints to police, as of [last] Friday it was an incident we had heard of but not from the victims,” says Andrew. 'We're aware of a number of incidents in the North Island third-hand, mostly through media.

'Police have heard of an incident in Te Kuiti, another in the Bay of Plenty, and we know of alleged incidents that councils in the Taranaki region have made us aware of.”

Whitianga Police sergeant Andrew Morrison says he and his staff are still looking into the matter, but as of today he was unsure if an official complaint had been laid.

He is not wanting to deter any potential victims from coming forward to police, but at the same time, if no complaint has been made then he is unable to help those people.

'Like anything, I don't mind the idea if someone feels wronged or had anything taken to make a complaint about it,” says Andrew. 'I'm yet to speak with the person who's told someone their dog's been taken.”

Andrew says if you are approached by a person claiming to be a TCDC Animal Control Officer but are unsure if they are legitimate – always ask for identification.

'If they get upset, try to deter you or refuse to show any identification then immediately call the police and a real officer will attend.”

Andrew's suggestions are being backed by TCDC Bylaws & Compliance team leader Steve Hart.

Steve says all council vehicles dealing with animal control have the TCDC logo on the side and all officers carry identification.

'You can ring Council to do a spot check, all genuine officers will be happy for you to call.”

"If a white ute with no TCDC logo approaches you, please call us immediately. We would love to catch the offender.”

If you have been a victim of people claiming to be TCDC Animal Control Officers and have yet to make an official complaint please contact your local police station.

To contact the Thames-Coromandel District Council phone 07-868-0200.