A family is desperately hoping to be reunited with their new puppy after she was stolen from a supermarket car park in Hinckley.
American Bulldog pup Hebe had only been with her owners for three weeks when she was taken from a red Ford Focus in Morrisons car park, off the A47, on Wednesday August 28 at around 2.30pm.
Klaudia Urban, 17, was in the shop with her mum when thieves lifted the young pooch from the back seat of their car, leaving behind the family’s older dog, Heri.
Klaudia said: “Me and mum went into the shop, we were missing for 10 minutes.
“We called for the police straight away but there were no cameras in that part of the car park.”
Their vehicle was in the section of the car park near Stoke Road.
The four-month-old puppy is 40cm high, is microchipped, and has some distinctive marks on her white fur, with a brown patch over her right eye and on her left ear and two dark spots on her tail.
The family had left the windows open as it was hot and because Heri, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier who has been with them for six years, likes to look out through it.
Klaudia said: “She was really happy with us. She was very bouncy with us. She wouldn’t come out of the car because she was scared of others.
“We’re worried that now she’s scared all the time.”
The family live in Barwell and they had decided to get another dog so Heri wouldn’t be lonely.
PC Sam Eaton, the investigating officer, said: “I would like to speak to anyone who believes they may have information about Hebe’s disappearance to come forward.
“Please cast your mind back to last Wednesday afternoon. Were you in the supermarket car park? Did you see anyone approach a red Ford Focus? Did you see anyone carrying a dog like the one pictured?
“Hebe has distinctive markings and I would also ask anyone who has seen or been offered a dog for sale that looks like her.
“I would also ask people in Hinckley – as well as across Leicestershire and Rutland – to keep an eye out for Hebe.
“Any details you have could help with my investigation.”
Lisa Dean, who runs dog search group Beauty’s Legacy, is helping with the search for Hebe.
She reunited a pair of chihuahuas with their owner after they were stolen from the back of an SUV in Sainsbury’s car park in Hinckley earlier this year.
A Facebook group has been set up dedicated to the search for Hebe, which has more than 5,000 members.
Lisa said there is a growing trend in dogs being stolen from shop car parks.
She said: “Be vigilant. If you see anyone acting suspiciously, get in touch with police or store staff.
“We can’t reiterate enough, if you see anything, details are vital.”
If you have any information, contact 101.
