RCMP are investigating after 10 German shepherd puppies were stolen from a backyard kennel in Nanaimo, where the dognappers were seen running away with the litter.
The theft happened just before 3 a.m. Monday, when the eight-week-old puppies’ owner was awoken by a noise coming from their backyard on Black Diamond Drive, according to Mounties.
“When her daughter went out onto their deck to see where the noise was coming from, she was shocked to find several unknown people running away with the puppies,” said Nanaimo RCMP.
The owner told police the daughter screamed as the suspects, wearing toques and hoodies, ran to a dark-coloured SUV before driving off toward Jingle Pot Road.
Five of the 10 puppies have since been recovered and returned, but the rest are still missing, RCMP said Wednesday.
READ MORE: Owner of German shepherd puppies stolen in Nanaimo afraid to go home
The puppies’ owner, Cassaundra Skaland-Kolotylo, tells CHEK News she has been unfairly attacked on social media, and that those who were planning to buy the dogs are devastated.
“The owner has reached out to various animal care groups and the community at large, and all have been very helpful in assisting the police with their investigation,” said RCMP media relations officer Const. Gary O’Brien.
Nanaimo Animal Control Services and Find Lost & Escaped Dogs Vancouver Island (FLED) tell CHEK News they’re aware of the incident, with the latter posting photos of the puppies on Facebook in hopes someone with information will come forward.
“We have spoken to authorities, and they are aware that all we care about is the safety of these puppies and the mother,” wrote FLED in a post.
“So please if you see these puppies, know who has these pups or where they are at, and you want to tell someone, contact RCMP … We are working with authorities.”
Anyone with information on the puppies’ whereabouts is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP’s non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.
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Ethan Morneau
