Litter of puppies worth $10,000 stolen from Melbourne backyard
A litter of purebred puppies has been stolen from a backyard in Melbourne’s southeast.
The five purebred American Staffordshire Terriers are just four weeks old and their owner is pleading for their safe return.
“I want these puppies back, they need to be with their mother,” breeder Felicia McDonnell.
She noted it was difficult to care for such young puppies and said they could get sick easily.
“The fact that they're not vaccinated, (means) they can get quite sick and die.”
Ms McDonnell arrived home on Monday afternoon to find the litter missing.
The parents of the puppies were left behind.
Three of the puppies were due to go to new homes at the end of the month.
The Golotta family was disappointed to hear their new puppy, who was to be a companion for their dog Roxy, has been taken.
“I just bought her a collar and paid for it, and got her name on it,” said Grant Golotta.
“We were counting down and we had showed photos to everyone of the new pup we were getting to play with Roxy,” Karen Golotta added.
“It's terrible what has happened it's cruel to take pups away from its mum so young.”
Police are looking into the theft.
Felicia believes someone knew the whereabouts of the puppies and could have easily jumped the fence to gain access to her backyard.
This breed can sell for up to $2,000 each.
While the Golotta family wants their puppy, above all else they hope the litter is returned safely.
News break – January 5
