Border collie Jessie stolen from Lilydale Show and police want help to find the pup

A SHEARER is devastated after the theft of his beloved border collie from a show in Melbourne’s outer east.

Border collie Jessie was stolen from the Lilydale Show.

A HEARTBROKEN Wandin sheep shearer is appealing for help to find his beloved border collie Jessie who was stolen from the Lilydale Show.

The 10-year-old black and white family pet went missing about half an hour before the show started about 8.30am on Saturday from his pen in the sheep shearing pavilion.

His owner Michael Apostoladis was preparing for the sheep showing and shearing demonstration when he found the gate to the pen had been pushed in and his best mate was missing.

“There’s no way he (Jessie) could have pushed it open himself,” Mr Apostoladis said.

“He was gone in a matter of minutes.”

Mr Apostoladis said Jessie was a friendly dog who loved people and would go to anyone.

“He’s a full male (hasn’t been desexed) and I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s why they took him,” he said. “It worries me he’s been taken for dog fighting. I hope not.”

Victoria Police media spokeswoman Constable Amara Bostock said Mr Apostoladis told detectives he had returned to the pen to find his dog was gone.

“The victim told police that string holding the gate shut had been cut and the fence was pushed in,” Constable Bostock said.

“Police have been told that a man had been observed acting suspiciously near the pen just prior to the theft of the dog.”

She said the man was described as caucasian, aged between 55 to 60 years, with a solid build and about 180cm.

Constable Bostock said at the time of the incident the man described was wearing a green cotton shirt and light-coloured jeans.

Anyone who might have seen the theft or has information on the dog’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.