Family caught on video stealing puppy return it to Logan pet store along with note of apology

A family caught on video snatching a tiny puppy from a Logan pet store has returned him, along with a note of apology claiming they thought the dog was free.

A Logan family caught on video stealing a 9-week-old puppy from a pet store has returned the dog along with a handwritten note of apology claiming they thought he was free.

Jimmy the toy poodle was stolen from Waterford Feed and Pet Barn on Loganlea Rd, Waterford West, south of Brisbane, just after 5pm Saturday.

The pet shop’s staff members held fears for the nine-week-old dog, which they said needed regular medication.

But after the story took off on community Facebook pages, staff members were overjoyed to find Jimmy had been returned on Monday.

“To pet shop, very sorry my little girl has taken the puppy she thought it was free we didn’t know till we got it home (sic),” the note read.

“I’m very sorry I’ve been upset all day can you please take the post down and no dramas.

“Please my girl didn’t know better, thank you (sic).”

Jimmy was returned yesterday afternoon, along with an apology note. Picture: Supplied.

The family was seen driving away in a white Holden Captiva after closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) recorded them taking the dog.

Pet store worker, Ellie Bate, 27, said the day was extremely busy and a young girl who regularly came to spend time with the animals was left unsupervised.

“We had a young girl come in who usually helps out a little bit, she comes in to play with puppies,” she said.

Jimmy the toy poodle was only nine weeks old when he was stolen. Picture: Waterford Feed and Pet Barn Facebook

While the girl was playing with the puppies in a pen, Ms Bate and another staff member were occupied with customers at the front counter.

“We had a family come in who wanted to purchase a puppy, so I was at the counter processing that,” Ms Bate said.

“So we were both up at the counter not supervising the puppy pen.”

Waterford Feed and Pet Barn. Picture: Danielle Noney

Security camera footage showed a girl and a boy picking up two puppies, while a woman walked over to them.

“(The girl) can be seen picking up the puppies,” she said.

“That’s when she’s picked up the poodle (Jimmy), her mum has obviously given her the OK, you can see her looking, seeing that we are distracted.

“The young girl put the puppy in her coat and took off running.”

The young boy can also be seen in the CCTV footage picking up another puppy, a Cavoodle, before placing it back down.

“He was trying to steal it as well,” Ms Bate said.

“He tried to step over the gate with it but you can see the mum saying no.”

Logan family caught on video stealing the puppy. Picture: CCTV Footage from Waterford Feed and Pet Barn

Ms Bate believes the theft must have been planned.

“They were cautious not to be seen,” she said.

Ms Bate said her team was devastated by the puppy theft and said Jimmy needed medication twice a day.

“It’s a live animal,” she said.

“It’s not an item that they can hock in at the shops for whatever reason.

“It’s disgusting. This is an animal, it’s a responsibility, so it’s very heartbreaking.”

New security measures have now been put in place at the shop.

“We have a padlock on it now and no one is allowed to come in unless they are serious about buying,” Ms Bate said.

“We now have a wireless camera in the pen.”

The team posted flyers and Facebook posts in search of Jimmy. Picture: Danielle Noney

Ms Bate said having to install the extra measures had taken a toll on her mentally.

“We normally see the best in people, but now it hurts us,” she said.

“Every time we look at someone who is slightly suspicious we are very cautious, it changes your whole perspective of people.”