Police investigating after french bulldog stolen from Eltham Lower Park
When the Johnson family left their french bulldog with a petsitter as they holidayed in Scotland, they thought she was safe. But now the pooch has vanished, believed stolen from an off-leash dog park in Melbourne’s north.
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Police are investigating another dog theft in Melbourne after a man jumped out of a parked car and snatched a beloved family’s french bulldog from an Eltham park yesterday.
Eltham Senior Constable Benjamin Dalgleish said the dog’s petsitter lost sight of the 17-month-old dog, Jayda, while in the carpark at Eltham Lower Park at 4.40pm and the dog was stolen within seconds.
Sen-Constable Dalgleish said an unknown male grabbed the dog, while a second “unknown offender” was waiting behind the wheel of the car.
A white four-door hatchback with damage to the driver’s side then sped off and was last seen travelling south down Main Rd towards Lower Plenty.
Owners the Johnson family were just a week into a holiday in Scotland when they received the dreaded phone call from their dogsitter.
“I was called as soon as it happened and my heart sunk straight away,” mother Sally Johnson said.
“It sounds premeditated and we’re extremely concerned.
“It’s gut-wrenching, not even a week into our family holiday and we’ve received this devastating news — we can’t sleep or enjoy our time here.”
Ms Johnson said the family dog was like their third child.
“Our two daughters really wanted another dog after our last one went missing, a German Shepherd, so they’re absolutely shattered by this news,” she said.
“French bulldogs are worth anywhere between $4000 and $8000 — unfortunately they are the breed everyone wants.
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“We are constantly monitoring Gumtree — we just want her home safe.”
Sen-Constable Dalgleish said police were monitoring CCTV footage in the area.
“There seems to be a bit of planning put into this incident, so we’re hoping for anyone with information to come forward,” he said.
Sen-Constable Dalgleish described the man believed to have taken the dog as caucasian, in his forties, with a stocky build and average height — he had short dark hair and was wearing a dark shirt and pair of shorts.
It comes after a number of incidents across Melbourne where family dogs have been snatched from their homes.
A french bulldog puppy was stolen from a backyard in Lalor in April — the dog was reunited with its owner after nine days.
While a prized beagle stolen from an elderly man’s car as he went into a milk bar to buy a paper in Melbourne’s southeast ended in joy when it was found by police almost a week later.
But there has been no joy so far for Eltham’s Maeve Swift who continues to search for her 13-month-old whippet which vanished from a Diamond Creek park on June 7.
If you witnessed anything or have any information you can phone Eltham police station on 9430 4500 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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