Melbourne dog thefts out of control, Victorian Lost Pet Register warns

Lost dog signs are becoming too familiar across our suburbs, and now a state lost pets register is warning all owners to step up security. Here’s a sad list of missing dogs whose owners are still hunting for them.

Jayda, a 17-month-old french bulldog is one of many dogs stolen across Melbourne in the last six months.

Dog thefts across Melbourne are “out of control”, with most pooches snatched from backyards, a statewide lost pet register has warned.

A total of 12 dogs were registered missing between January and April this year, but that skyrocketed to 35 in the July quarter, Victorian Lost Pet Register data showed.

Lost pet co-ordinator Holly Richardson said 90 per cent of thefts occurred while the dogs were in their backyards.

She also said homes of dog owners trying to sell puppies online were being targeted.

“It is no longer safe to keep dogs in the backyard unaccompanied and overnight and it’s awful that it has come to this but dog thefts are out-of-control at the moment,” Ms Richardson said.

“No matter how secure you believe your yard is, it’s not foolproof — very few dogs are stolen in public, so we’re encouraging dog owners to keep their pets locked indoors or in sheds and garages.

“If you have no other option then consider installing CCTV — we have many successful cases because the owner has checked footage through CCTV.”

Ms Richardson said stolen cases were established after the dog owner had filed a police report.

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She said while there were no known theft hot spots around Melbourne, young staffordshires, german shepherds and any pure breed were popular among crooks.

“Pure breeds especially because people get more money from them,” she said.

“We’re noticing these dogs are being sold on Gumtree and Trading Post.

“These dogs are typically stolen for three reasons — breeding, immediate resale and dog fighting rings — and sadly there is no quick or easy solution.”

Ms Richardson recommended dog owners microchip their pets and if stolen, phone their council and monitor sites such as Gumtree, Trading Post and social media.

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Police are looking for a man who snatched 17-month-old Jayda from an Eltham car park on July 9.

JAYDA

The Johnson family’s beloved french bulldog was stolen from the carpark at an off-leash dog park in Eltham on July 9.

A man jumped out of a parked car and snatched the 17-month-old dog at Eltham Lower Park about 4.40pm.

He carried the dog into a white four-door hatchback where a second “unknown offender” was waiting behind the steering wheel. of the car.

The vehicle, with damage to the driver’s side, was last seen travelling south down Main Rd towards Lower Plenty.

Police are investigating.

If you witnessed anything or have any information you can phone Eltham police station on 9430 4500 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Murray was last seen at his Eden Park home on July 6.

MURRAY

A 6-month-old kelpie believed to have been snatched from an Eden Park home in Fifth Ave is still missing.

Murray went missing on Saturday, July 6 about 5pm.

The puppy’s distressed owners continue to search for their beloved dog, while anyone with information is urged to phone Whittlesea police station on 9716 2102 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Shiloh has been missing since July 1. Her owners are offering cash for her return.

SHILOH

A monetary reward is being offered to anyone who can help bring home a Seville pet owner’s missing pooch.

The female brindle staffordshire bull terrier was last seen at its home address in the Yarra Ranges area on July 1.

Anyone with information should phone the owner on 0407539884.

Diesel was last seen at his Sunshine West home on June 28 about 11.30am.

DIESEL

A white Swiss shepherd with two differently-coloured eyes was believed to have been stolen from a Sunshine West home on Friday, June 28.

The 10-month-old male canine was last seen about 11.30am.

Diesel has one blue eye, with the other dark brown — he also has a silver chain around his neck.

A $1000 reward is being offered in exchange for his safe return.

The community of Darebin is rallying to reunite Charlie with his owner. The border collie vanished on June 17.

CHARLIE

Hundreds of flyers have been distributed in the Darebin area in a desperate effort to reunite Charlie with its owner.

The white border collie was last seen at his Preston home on Monday, June 17.

A police report was made — anyone with information should phone Preston police station on 9479 6111.

Rocky and Alpha have not been seen since June 15. Police are investigating.

ROCKY AND ALPHA

A Niddrie homeowner was left devastated after waking to find their two German shepherds had been stolen from their backyard.

The 11-month-old dogs were believed to be snatched during the early hours of the morning on Saturday, June 15.

The owners are offering a $1000 reward for each dog.

Anyone with information is urged to phone Moonee Ponds police station on 9373 5200 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Maeve Swift's 13-month-old whippet, Ash, has been missing for three weeks. Sister Willow wants her home too.

ASH

A mass-community search is still underway in Diamond Creek and Eltham after a 13-month-old whippet tugged its lead and became loose, then disappeared through some trees at Campbell Street Reserve in Diamond Creek on Friday, June 7.

Ash was last seen heading towards Allendale Rd abut 9am.

If you have seen Ash or have any information, phone Ms Swift on 0419 573 703 or 8418 8359.

Primrose vanished on June 3 and has not been seen since.

PRIMROSE

Two-year-old Primrose has been missing since Monday, June 3.

She mysteriously vanished from her Hurstbridge home.

She is crossbred between french bulldog and pug and loves the word smackos.

Her owners have set a $200 reward for her safe return.

If you have seen Primrose, you should phone her owner on 0413180798.

These three British bulldogs mysteriously went missing all at once on June 1.

BULLDOG TRIO

The hunt continues for three 12-week-old purebred British bulldog puppies after they were allegedly stolen from a Bacchus Marsh home on Saturday, June 1.

Anyone with information should phone Bacchus Marsh police on 5366 4500.

Diesel has been missing for the entire winter. He was last seen on May 26.

DIESEL

The desperate owners of this missing canine are pleading with anyone who may have seen him to come forward.

Diesel was last seen at his Noble Park home on Sunday, May 26.

He was wearing a brown collar and is microchipped.

Ninja has been missing since April 19, but her owners have not stopped searching.

NINJA

This family’s Easter was spoiled after their beloved dog mysteriously vanished from their Keysborough home on Good Friday, April 19.

The five-year-old, crossbred between pug and chihuahua is fawn-coloured and is microchipped.

If you have seen her or have any information you should phone its owner on 0410 756 152.