Rogue pighunters are suspected of "dognapping" two puppies from Rotorua's SPCA.
Caspean, a male, tan-coloured, 4-month-old terrier cross with black tips on his tail, paws and muzzle and Sheba a female, 4-month-old, tan and white cattle dog cross are missing.
Thieves broke through a makeshift fence to take the pups.
"Of all the things to steal, why would you want to steal a puppy?" SPCA warranted officer Nicola Martin said.
She suspected the dogs were taken for pig hunting by thieves who may have visited the SPCA, to be told the organisation did not allow its animals to be used for hunting.
"We get a handful of suspicious characters coming in on a weekly basis," Miss Martin said.
The SPCA had received a quote to replace the makeshift fence on Friday. The thieves struck on Saturday.
"We're very concerned especially because Caspean is quite a vocal dog and someone might hit her because she won't shut up," Miss Martin said.
There had been about seven "dognappings" in the nine years Miss Martin had worked at the SPCA.
"It has gotten to the point where we're wondering whether one of us should sleep here at night," she said.
"We could put security cameras in but that means more money that we don't have and less cats and dogs that we would be able to hold here and less food for them.
"We're not in the position to be able to have all this new fencing and sensors on cages, but we may have to."
Miss Martin said staff remained hopeful of recovering the two dogs. Signs have been erected with pictures of the dogs and Miss Martin urged anyone with information to contact the SPCA.
"We won't rest until we find those two little puppies."
- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)
