PUPPY HEIST: 7 French bulldog pups stolen at daybreak while owner slept soundly at NYC home
SHIRLEY, LONG ISLAND: Suffolk County police are investigating a case of seven stolen puppies in Shirley. The incident took place around 3 am on July 24 when a burglar broke into a home on Concord Road when the owner was fast asleep. As per police, five of the puppies were just one month old and the other two were six months old.
According to news reports, the seven French bulldog pups were stolen by a thief in the Long Island hamlet overnight. Police said, the owner, Rasheem was sleeping after an exhausting late night shift at work when he got up around 7 am on July 24 and found out that the pups were missing. "I'm very disappointed in this community. I thought my community as safe, but I guess it's not," said the owner. He added, "Police are going to find these guys - I got evidence, I got clear videos." The suspects were seen in the surveillance video as they were leaving the property with the puppies in their hands.
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Talking about the cost of each pup, Rasheem said that he can sell his French bulldog puppies for $4,000 each, however, the well-being of the puppies is his top priority, he told ABC. He has offered a $2,500 reward for their safe return.
Another dognapping case
According to NY Post, earlier in July, the NYPD released footage of an attempted robbery of another French bulldog. As the owner was walking into a Financial District office building with the dog, a suspect was seen on video trying to scoop up the pooch. The 29-year-old dog owner managed to save her Frenchie. She was quoted as saying by Daily News, "I’m so thankful that my dog and I made it through the attack. We are safe now and in the process of healing. I would have been devastated to lose her. She is part of our family.”
French bulldog breed is second-most favoured in US
According to the American Kennel Club, French bulldogs have become increasing popular in recent years, with the breed being the second most favored in the United States in 2020. As per AP report, after labrador retrievers and French bulldogs, the top 10 breeds include German shepherds, Golden retrievers, bulldogs, poodles, beagles, Rottweilers and German shorthaired pointers. Dachshunds also made it to the top 10 for the first time since 2013.
Anyone with information about the seven missing puppies are asked to call the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.