How much is that puppy in the window…? Pets at Home managing director David Herman says the brazen theft of a pure-bred puppy from his Narre Warren pet store left him shattered. Picture: Stewart Chambers.
By Callan Date
A NARRE Warren pet shop owner is still reeling from the brazen theft of a pure-bred puppy on Monday afternoon.
David Herman, managing director of the Pets at Home store in Fountain Gate, said he could hardly believe his eyes as he watched surveillance footage of the theft, involving a man, a woman, a girl and a boy.
He said the footage showed a man dropping a young boy into the dog’s enclosure.
The boy, who appears no older than eight, then grabs the dog and lifts him over the enclosure wall.
He then places the pooch into a bag being carried by a young girl.
The man then helps the boy back over the wall while the bag is covered with a jacket.
A woman calmly keeps watch on staff throughout the crime.
The family then quickly leave the store. The footage shows the theft takes place in less than two minutes.
The puppy, Coco, a black Italian greyhound, is worth $750.
Upset staff noticed the dog was missing about 30 minutes after the theft occurred.
Coco was returned safely to the store yesterday.
The circumstances of the pup’s return are still being investigated by police.
“The theft of the puppy was absolutely atrocious,” Mr Herman said.
He said he had feared for the safety of Coco – with the dog needing a warm and caring environment to survive through winter.
Mr Herman said it sickened he and his staff to know that young children had been used to carry out the crime.
“This is such a low act on so many levels,” he said.
Narre Warren Police said they are continuing with their investigations and have asked for anyone with information about the crime to contact 9705 3114.
