Workers at the Animal Welfare League have scrambled to repair damaged kennels after Blaze the husky was stolen.
“Blaze had been taken from his kennel… it seems as though somebody or a group of people have broken into the premises (and have) destroyed padlocks, have destroyed kennel fencing,” Caroline Esera from the Animal Welfare League said.
The dognappers appeared to have gained access to the shelter through bushland at the back, scaling a fence and breaking multiple padlocks, leaving other dogs – including Blaze’s good friend Maggie – distraught.
“The other dogs were really frantic,” Esera said.
“Maggie was really, really upset.
“We can’t separate the two dogs because they’re such close friends so she would have been really traumatised by the event.”
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Fortunately, Blaze was found safe and sound on Sunday at Harbour Town, thanks to a member of the public who identified him by the tag on his neck, and has since been reunited with Maggie.
Police are still on the hunt for those involved.