Police respond to reports of dogs being stolen from yards across Coffs

A Coffs Harbour police inspector has responded to reports of dogs being stolen and persistent rumours of a dog fighting ring.

Dogs across the Coffs region are going missing from backyards according to stories being told online.

A NSW Police inspector said he wasn’t aware of the dognappings, but Michelle Muller and her family have been left shattered by the disappearance of their beagle pup Britney.

Michelle Muller has operated the Hilltop Farm riding and agistment centre in Nana Glen for the past 27 years.

She said it was a busy day at the centre on July 4 when her pup Britney went missing.

Little Beagle puppy Britney reported stolen from Nana Glen.

“I went in for lunch and she was in the yard, but by the time I came out again, she was gone.”

The dog was a $2500 gift from her father and had become particularly attached to Michelle’s 17-year-old daughter Angela who is about to start the HSC.

“So she doesn’t need this extra stress.

“The hardest thing is not knowing what’s happened to her. I would like to think somebody has picked her up as a pet and that she is being looked after but we just don’t know that.”

The RSPCA is helping Michelle Muller to find Britney.

Michelle reported it to police via the online portal but says she’s heard nothing in response.

She also posted about her experience on a local community facebook page where other people had shared similar stories – with one reporting somebody dressed as a ranger came into their yard and tried to steal their dogs.

Others spoke about markers being placed at homes as some kind of indication as to what kind of dog was living there.

Angela Muller is devastated at the loss of Britney.

Several people also spoke of their fears the more placid dogs could be used as bait in underground fighting rings.

Coffs Harbour inspector Brett Henderson-Smith said any report of an animal being stolen would be followed up but he wasn’t personally aware of a recent spate of incidents being reported.

“Not at a level that it has come to me as inspector.”

He also brushed aside rumours that the more placid dogs were being stolen to be used as live bait in dog fighting rings – a concern Ms Muller also had in relation to her beagle.

“We’ve all heard stories about that.”

Ms Muller has reported her missing dog to the RSPCA and has called several local vets urging them to be on the lookout for Britney who is fully microchipped.