Australia-wide hunt for stolen puppy ends in joy for Lalor owner

Brent Evans thought he’d never see his beloved French bulldog again after she was stolen from his Lalor backyard. But then pet-lovers from around the country spread the word.

Piper was found just 30 minutes from her home after being stolen on April 14.

A nine-day search for a stolen French bulldog puppy has ended in joy for her distraught owner.

Lalor man Brent Evans distributed more than 500 flyers and kickstarted a social media campaign which was shared more than 20,000 times around the country and overseas, after his 17-week-old puppy Piper was stolen from his home on April 14.

Purebred French bulldogs range in price from $5000 to $8000, and the calculating thieves stole nothing else from Mr Evans home.

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But on April 23 Mr Evans received a phone call from people who said they’d seen the flyer calling for Piper’s return, and just hours later he had her back.

“To see her in the flesh was simply amazing,” an emotional Mr Evans said.

“She was still in the north, just a thirty minute drive away, but a thirty minute drive has never taken so long.”

He declined to discuss details about the people who had Piper for more than a week, but confirmed a police investigation was ongoing.

“I think unfortunately whether it’s a french bulldog or a dachshund, people find something people want and so they go and steal them,” he said.

“There is definitely a black market.”

Piper, who he said was “like one of my kids” appeared healthy.

“She spent yesterday doing what she does well, sleeping and playing with the kids,” Mr Evans said.

Mr Evans said he had spent “years” saving for Piper and had only owned her for six weeks before she was snatched.

He had been unable to sleep since her disappearance.

He firmly believed her return had been the result of people power.

“People power is definitely one of the major reasons why I have my beautiful girl back,” he said.

“I had thousands of messages of support from across the country and even some from overseas.

“It gives you a little bit of faith that there are good people out there despite people having snatched her away.”

He encouraged dog owners, especially those who owned expensive breeds, to ensure their dogs were registered and microchipped and that owners supported local dog shelters and pet social media pages.

“Without them I don’t think I would have Piper back,” he said.