Mickleham dog theft: Staffy Buster returned to McCrohan family’s Dight Way home

A Mickleham family is ecstatic after their beloved dog Buster was returned to their home in a strange 24 hours for the family.

A Mickleham family has been left “ecstatic” after a bizarre 24 hours saw their missing family dog returned following a social media-led search.

The McCrohan family had been missing their dog, Buster, for over a week after the grey Staffordshire bull terrier was last seen to be coaxed into a black station wagon.

After being inundated with potential sightings, a humble truck driver came to the rescue and reunited the family late on Monday evening.

It is believed Buster was picked up along Donnybrook Rd a week ago before the truck driver saw the family’s desperate plea in several community Facebook groups which matched the description.

When Shane and Jess McCrohan arrived to pick-up, there was no doubt it was Buster.

“We walked up to his house and we couldn’t see Buster but my wife started calling out and he just went nuts,” Shane McCrohan said.

“He was whimpering and had his nose under the gate ... then he was running around doing figure eights.

“I was ecstatic, my wife was crying ... the planets have aligned and everything is back to normal, it just felt great.”

The truck driver initially refused the family’s reward of $1000 for finding Buster. Mr McCrohan said it showed the “amazing” community support which existed around the family.

“It’s been a weird way to get to know my neighbours because I was new to the area but now I know a lot of them,” Mr McCrohan said.

“My next door neighbour grabbed me [yesterday] and he took me around to one of the other neighbours and there was six of us guys sitting on the lounge room floor looking at camera footage.

“The community support has been awesome.”

EARLIER

A Mickleham family has issued a desperate plea for help after their beloved dog was brazenly stolen from their home.

Buster, a seven-year-old grey Staffordshire bull terrier, was noticed to be missing around 8am on Tuesday, January 10 when the McCrohan family called out for him at their home.

Video footage from nearby houses showed a woman in a black station wagon – believed to be a 2011 or 2012 SsangYong Rexton – coaxing Buster towards her and then grabbing him before fleeing the scene in the car.

The McCrohan family initially thought it was a good Samaritan rescuing Buster after he escaped onto the street but he has not been seen since.

“It’s horrible, we’ve had this little dog for seven years since he was a puppy,” Shane McCrohan said.

“He’s the best dog I’ve ever had in my life, he’s so placid but he’s very loving and great with the kids.”

Buster has not been seen since his disappearance last week. Picture: Supplied

While the family has received plenty of potential sightings from online community groups, no one has been able to find Buster since his disappearance. Neighbours have helped provide CCTV footage as the family and police try to piece together where the black station wagon took Buster.

Police are working to match the car, which is a rare model after it was discontinued in 2012 due to poor sales.

Staffordshire bull terriers are often used for breeding or underground fighting with the family concerned for Buster’s welfare given his prolonged disappearance.

“I know they’re popular for that sort of thing … but that’s why we got him desexed so he didn’t get snatched for that,” Mr McCrohan said.

“We hear horrible stories about dogs that are used as bait to train other dogs but I don’t even like thinking about it.

“It’s just like what was the motivation (for doing it) … there are all these theories in my head but everyone has been amazing in trying to help so far.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au