Puppies reunite after alleged theft to celebrate first birthday

Four puppies who were allegedly stolen in a Cairns home invasion last year have been reunited again, this time to celebrate their first birthday. See photos, video.

Four puppies who were allegedly stolen in a Cairns home invasion last year, have celebrated their first birthday with the police officers that helped reunite them.

Golden retriever pups Maple, Murphy, Shep and Zen were allegedly stolen from an Edmonton home in November 2023 when they were two-weeks old.

Officers from the Cairns Property Crime Squad, Tactical Crime Squad and Edmonton Station worked to return the pups to their mother, Karma, within 48 hours.

Eight teenagers were charged following the alleged break in.

Edmonton resident Andrea White returned to her home on November 15 to find her house broken into, her belongings ransacked and 4 of her 10 three week old Golden Retriever puppies stolen. All four were returned home by police within 48 hours. Picture: Brendan Radke

Owner Andrea White said it was so special to have the pups reunited after the ‘harrowing’ ordeal last year.

“It was heartwarming to see them all together again,” Ms White said.

“We had puppies in the pool, swimming and playing.” Most of the pups were adopted by friends and relatives of Ms White, as well as a police officer who helped bring the stolen puppies home. “I kept one – Zen,” Ms White said.

“We were always going to keep one, and he chose us.”

The birthday party, which took place on October 26, was the first time the dogs had been together since they were adopted.

“It was one hell of a party,” Ms White said. “They played together, had photos taken and had their birthday cake.”

Acting Detective Sergeant Katherine McNeil from the Cairns Property Crime Squad said it was rewarding to catch up with the dogs, one year later.

The puppy ‘pawty’ was the first time all 10-pups were reunited after being adopted by various families within the Cairns region. Photos: QPS.

“When we got the report, we were all very worried about the puppies because of their age and being away from their mother, so it was really important to us to find them as quickly as we could,” Sergeant McNeil said.

“It’s lovely to see them all, everyone is so happy, it’s a really nice experience and I can’t believe how much the puppies have grown.

“When I last saw them, they were absolutely tiny, so it’s really great to see how well they’re doing.”

The birthday party doubled as a fundraiser for the Blue Paws Association, which provides services such as medical care, food, rehabilitation and more to retired police dogs across Queensland.

“We raised nearly $700 for Blue Paws, which- that was my goal to bring the spotlight onto that because it’s for helping retired police dogs,” Ms White said.

Originally published as Puppies reunite after alleged theft to celebrate first birthday