Where are Pippa’s puppies?
Pippa, the pregnant Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who was stolen from her home at Easter, has been returned to her owners, the Joyce family – but without the four valuable puppies she was about to deliver. With Pippa at home in Omata are, from left, Holly Joyce, Brodie Tanner, Margaret Joyce, Richard Joyce and Christopher Joyce.
An animal rights group is calling for the pet thieves who took a pregnant dog and returned her without her valuable days-old puppies to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Pippa, a three-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, was expecting four cavoodle puppies, which can sell for thousands of dollars, when she was stolen from an Omata family home on Easter Monday.
On Sunday, owner Margaret Joyce received a text from an unknown number saying they had Pippa and wished to return her.
A few hours later, Pippa arrived at the front door after being dropped off somewhere nearby. She was in poor health and without her four cross-breed puppies.
Debra Ashton, chief executive of Save Animals From Exploitation (Safe), feared the puppies would not survive without their mother. Puppies are not usually separated until at least eight weeks
‘‘This is a serious crime and should be treated accordingly,’’ she said.
‘‘Just like a human newborn separated from their mother, these puppies are at risk of poor health outcomes and even death.
‘‘We hope the perpetrator is found and made to face the consequences to the full extent of the law.’’
According to the Crimes Act 1961, a person who commits theft of livestock or other animal is liable for imprisonment for up to seven years or could be charged under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
Joyce said her family were relieved to have Pippa back home.
‘‘My kids saw her first so they were screaming.
‘‘We were just over the moon,’’ Joyce said.
‘‘But we’re still worried about her health and the trauma she’s been through and how that’s going to affect her.’’
The family had offered a $2500 reward for the return of their beloved pet.
‘‘The fact we don’t know where the puppies are is a big concern.’’
On Monday, Pippa spent the day at the vets receiving a blood transfusion before being returned to her family at 11pm.
‘‘She’s lost a lot of weight,’’ Joyce said yesterday.
‘‘But she’s looking a bit perkier today.’’
Joyce believes they were able to get Pippa back due to the power of the media and had been inundated with support.
‘‘I think they got scared it was on the news,’’ she said.
The family also went to police, and even posted on Trade Me saying ‘dog for sale for $200,000’ to get attention.
Dogs New Zealand secretary Steven Thompson said Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were very popular and always in the top 10 pedigree breeds.
‘‘And of course when you combine them with a poodle into a cavoodle they’re a cute dog.’’
Thompson said the bulk of their breeder and dog registrations were pedigree dogs and only took on cross-breeds who compete in sports such as agility and obedience, which a cavoodle does not.
‘‘So somewhere like TradeMe is where most of these dogs are sold, and probably where these puppies will end up, if they survive.’’
A police media spokesperson said in an email there was no update on the case and inquiries are ongoing.
‘‘Police are continuing to investigate this matter.’’