Thieves take 12 puppies

♦ Police say the animals were chipped and the public can help in finding them.

A Rome pet store was burglarized over the weekend in a scenario similar to ones that have played out in Atlanta and Lawrenceville where several puppies were taken.

According to a Rome Police report, someone broke into Petland at 1600 Turner Mcall Blvd. overnight Saturday and stole 12 puppies with a combined value of approximately $47,900.

Cash register drawers and a safe containing around $750 were also stolen.

Among the dogs taken were a chocolate English bulldog valued at approximately $7,300, a French bulldog valued at approximately $6,500, and a red and white Boston terrier valued at around $3,000.

Rome Assistant Police Chief Debbie Burnett called the robbery “pretty significant” and could not recall an incident like it in her time with the RPD.

“Those are fairly expensive animals, and the most important thing the public can do is, if they see these animals listed for sale anywhere to notify us. These are very specific breeds and easily identifiable,” Burnett said.

Other puppies taken were a grey Great Dane, a black pug, a red and white Victorian bulldog and two black and tan Yorkshire terriers.

Burnett said if anyone sees a sell listing for a puppy at a price that seems too good to be true to notify the Rome Police Department.

“This is a very specific crime and one where the public will play an important role,” Burnett said. “We’re asking that everyone keep their eyes open.”

All of the dogs taken do have microchips that carry a unique identification number, which have been entered into the Georgia Crime Information Center statewide database as stolen.

A witness reported three black men walking in the area behind the store and along East Seventh Street between 3 and 4 a.m. Sunday.

Police said a large rock was found inside near the shattered the glass of the front door of the store. Blood was found on one of the shards of glass and multiple trails of blood were found throughout the store.

Burnett said they have sent off samples of the blood for DNA testing and will continue to work on getting more details, including tracking down the security camera video from the store.

The owner of the store told police the store’s security alarm did not go off during the break-in, and that he also owns a store in Dunwoody that was broken into early Friday and had five puppies stolen valued between $30,000 to $50,000 total.

Burnett said investigators are working very closely with the owner to see if he gets any leads from the other store.

A pet store in Lawrenceville was broken into in the early morning hours of April 10 and had $60,000 worth of puppies stolen. Video shows two men smashing the glass on the front door and putting the dogs into two green bags.

Tips can be called into the Rome Police Department at 706-238-5111 or through the department’s webpage at romefloyd.com.