'I just went numb': Elderly man who had car stolen with dog inside pleads for her return
The elderly owner of a much loved nine-year-old beagle that disappeared five days ago has made a public appeal for help to find her.
Geoff Schmutter, 85, had parked his SUV outside his local milkbar in Blind Bight, southeast of Melbourne, on Saturday morning and ducked inside to buy a newspaper, leaving Millie the dog inside.
Shortly afterwards he hurried back out to where he had left his vehicle and found both it and his beagle gone.
“I just went numb. I was like, ‘what’s going on?’ I couldn’t believe it,” the retiree told 9News.
“I raced onto the road and [saw the car as it] disappeared.”
Milkbar attendant Ryan Wiles described Mr Schmutter as “distraught” when his car was stolen with Millie inside.
“[Millie has been] his only friend for the past year, at least,” she said.
Mr Schmutter’s Suzuki SUV has been recovered after it was allegedly stolen on June 22 but the dog remains missing.
On Monday the car was found nearly 60km from where it was taken, in the southeastern Melbourne suburb of Bentleigh.
However, Millie, who had been in the backseat of the SUV when it was stolen two days previously, was no where to be found.
Victoria Police confirmed a 38-year-old woman from Hampton East was arrested in Bayside and then released pending further enquiries.
“Millie still remains missing,” police added in a statement released on Thursday.
Mr Schmutter has been at a loss since his best mate disappeared, telling 9News he was used to having Millie by his side 24/7.
“She’s my best girl,” he said, adding that his partner Bev was his “second best girl”.
The distressed owner fears Millie could be anywhere due to both the huge distance the SUV travelled and the fact that the beagle’s microchip details were out of date.
Victoria Police are urging anyone with information or who may have seen Millie to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or lodge a confidential report through www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, download the Yahoo News app from the App store or Google Play and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoo’s daily newsletter. Sign up here.
