Moment dognapper snatches woman's pet Shih Tzu Jack from outside newsagent


This is the moment a dognapper snatches a woman’s pet Shih Tzu from outside a newsagents in Manchester.

Jack, a male Shih Tzu with a white and tan coat, was waiting for his owner outside Bobby’s Convenience Store on Rochdale Road in Collyhurst on March 11.

CCTV footage shows a silver Ford Mondeo parking on a nearby side street before a man in a black coat jumps out and runs towards the dog.

Less than a minute later, he’s seen running back towards the car with Jack in his arms, before jumping inside and leaving the area.

The dog’s 60-year-old owner, who did not wish to be named, has been left devastated following the theft, saying Jack is ‘her world’ and she would ‘die for him’.

She suffers from lung cancer and, without the support of a family, relied on her dog for emotional support.

Jack (pictured above), a male Shih Tzu with a white and tan coat, was waiting for his owner outside Bobby's Convenience Store on Rochdale Road in Collyhurst, Manchester, on March 11

Jack (pictured above), a male Shih Tzu with a white and tan coat, was waiting for his owner outside Bobby’s Convenience Store on Rochdale Road in Collyhurst, Manchester, on March 11

CCTV footage shows a silver Ford Mondeo (pictured left) parking on a nearby side street before a man in a black coat jumps out and runs towards the dog

CCTV footage shows a silver Ford Mondeo (pictured left) parking on a nearby side street before a man in a black coat jumps out and runs towards the dog

She’s now appealing for anyone who might have Jack to contact Greater Manchester Police or return him to a vet, saying he will be welcomed back with ‘no questions asked’.

She said: ‘Three years ago, my mum passed away, she was all I had – no brothers, no sisters.’

‘It was always just me and mum and then Jack came along; he got me out of bed every morning, even on my worst days.

‘I now have lung cancer and I can’t go on without him; I’ll die for him. He is my world. I can’t eat, I can’t drink, I can’t sleep.

‘I love him like a child I never had; I literally can’t fight without him. Please, please let Jack come home.’

Due to his owner’s condition, the search for Jack is being coordinated by volunteer network DogLost, who say that the brazen theft is ‘one of the worst’ they have seen.

Justine Quirk, volunteer media representative for the organisation, said: ‘Any theft of any dog is cruel and the emotional toll it takes on an owner can be utterly destroying – but in this case, it’s not only affecting her emotionally but medically too.

‘It’s very clear that Jack means everything to her and that’s why we are appealing to anyone that knows where Jack is, to do the right thing and either contact Greater Manchester Police or DogLost so we can get Jack home safely.

A person can be seen crossing the street in the CCTV footage before the dognapper runs around the corner. The pet's 60-year-old owner has been left devastated following the theft

A person can be seen crossing the street in the CCTV footage before the dognapper runs around the corner. The pet’s 60-year-old owner has been left devastated following the theft

The man is seen running back towards his car

Jack, a male Shih Tzu with a white and tan coat, can be seen in the man's arms

The man is seen running back towards his car with Jack, a male Shih Tzu with a white and tan coat, in his arms. Greater Manchester Police said no arrests have been made 

‘If you have Jack or you were sold him not knowing he was stolen, then please take him to any veterinary practice, say you found him and leave him there safely.

‘They will ensure he is returned. We have very clear CCTV footage of the car and the people involved in Jack’s theft so please do just get in touch.’ 

Justine added that the charity has seen a 170 per cent increase in the number of dog thefts since the beginning of the lockdown.

Anyone who has recently bought a white-and-tan Shih Tzu in the Greater Manchester area or is expecting to in the next few days are now being asked to be vigilant and consider where their pet has come from.

‘You should be questioning ‘who is this person, why are they selling the dog on’ and ask what he’s like,’ Justine explained, adding that it is always better to adopt where possible.

The man seen just before he jumps into his car with Jack in his arms and drives away. Volunteer network DogLost say that the brazen theft is 'one of the worst' they have seen

The man seen just before he jumps into his car with Jack in his arms and drives away. Volunteer network DogLost say that the brazen theft is ‘one of the worst’ they have seen

‘Ask to see photos – perhaps if he’s been to the beach or a park, and get a real grasp for how long these people have had this dog.

‘Jack, like all dogs, was microchipped – anyone selling a dog should be able to provide you with the microchip number of the dog and you should be able to get it scanned.

‘Always buy from a licensed breeder, and if you’re getting an older dog then you should really be doing your due diligence and asking where that dog has actually originated from.’

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said that the force is continuing its enquiry into the incident.

They said: ‘Officers received a report that a dog had been stolen from outside a business premises on Rochdale Road, Collyhurst on Thursday 11 March 2021.

‘Enquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been made.’

Anyone with any information about the theft can contact Jack’s owner’s DogLost representative on 07981090965 or call Greater Manchester Police on 101.

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