A three-month-old rescue puppy allegedly stolen from her foster home on Auckland’s North Shore has been safely recovered, with police charging a woman over the incident.
According to a report by Stuff, Pebbles, a shar pei mix, was being cared for by a foster family in Birkdale when she was allegedly taken on Friday. The puppy had been registered and microchipped by South Auckland Animal Rescue while waiting to be adopted into a permanent home.
The rescue organisation appealed for Pebbles’ safe return on social media, saying they knew who had taken the puppy.
“We just want Pebbles back,” they wrote.
Emma Pritchard from South Auckland Animal Rescue said the foster family had followed all the correct procedures, but the puppy was allegedly taken in front of a young child, as reported by Stuff.
“We have satellite foster homes all throughout Auckland where the puppies go to learn about life and get nurtured and grow and be shown to potential adopters,” Pritchard explained, saying the person who allegedly stole Pebbles had tried to shortcut the “very robust” adoption process, as quoted by Stuff.
Pritchard praised police for their efforts, saying officers repeatedly visited a North Shore address before recovering the puppy and returning her to the rescue.
She said the response from police had been “fantastic” and that staff attended the address more than two dozen times before Pebbles was safely reunited with South Auckland Animal Rescue founder Yvonne Packer, as reported by Stuff.
The incident has left the foster family deeply shaken.
According to Stuff, Pritchard said the mother and daughter who witnessed the alleged theft were left “severely traumatised” and emphasised that the foster carer had done “everything right.” As a precaution, another foster dog was removed from the property after Pebbles was taken.
She added that she hoped the alleged offender would be held accountable for the “emotional harm” caused to the family, Stuff has reported.
Police said the North Shore Tactical Crime Unit had been investigating the case since Friday.
Acting Detective Sergeant Bates confirmed a 52-year-old North Shore woman had been charged with theft.
“Pebbles was located by our TCU staff safe and sound and has been returned to South Auckland Animal Rescue,” she says.
“It’s a happy ending, but Pebbles is still searching for her forever home,” as quoted by Stuff.
Pritchard said Pebbles was unharmed by the ordeal and encouraged anyone interested in adopting her to contact the rescue and complete the official adoption process.
However, she suggested demand for the puppy could be high.
“Even the police are saying that some of the police officers would like to adopt,” Pritchard told Stuff.
ISSUE
Leave a Comment