Plea for return of stolen puppies (watch video)

The two youths are seen making a run for it with the puppies. Inset: One of the stolen pups. Photos / Onehunga Vet and Pet Supplies

An Auckland pet shop manager is pleading for the return of three puppies snatched from under her nose and in full view of security cameras.

Angela Taliai, manager of Onehunga Vet and Pet Supplies, is distraught after the pups, one 8 1/2-month-old Japanese Spitz/Papillon and two 10-week-old Pomeranian/Papillons, were stolen on Tuesday afternoon.

"Two guys walked in and they obviously knew what they wanted," says Ms Taliai, 35.

The pair picked up a puppy each from their enclosure but when one went to pick up the third, Ms Taliai became suspicious.

"They weren't saying much to each other or to me and I started walking over there to try to get them to put them down, and they just ran.

"I chased them out of the shop but they had a car waiting."

Ms Taliai says she "hates to think" what the men wanted the pups for.

"So many scenarios have gone through our heads," she says. "We're just trying to stay positive and hope they're not for bait."

Ms Taliai's mother bred the pups, which makes the loss particularly personal, she says.

"It's really hit home. She just wants to know they're safe. It's not about the money, it's about the puppies. It's really upsetting."

Ms Taliai has reported the theft of the puppies, which are worth about $1000 each, to the police and has posted an ad on TradeMe pleading for their return and featuring images of the offenders from the security footage.

She says the support has been "overwhelming" but so far no one has come forward with any information about the theft.

The theft has affected the whole community, says Ms Taliai, as locals often brought their children in to play with the puppies.

"That's why we allowed people to pick up the puppies and interact with them," she says. "That's ruined for the community now, we're not bringing any more puppies into the shop after this.