Dog thief caught on CCTV snatching tiny pet chihuahua worth £2,500 from hair salon

Tiny £2,500 pedigree Rupert was filmed being taken after sneaking out of the shop.

The pet was returned after an appeal by his owner.

But cops were still hunting the bald man suspected of stealing the dog for breeding.

Hairdresser Katie Lane, 30, and her staff searched for her beloved pet after he vanished on Thursday evening.

When they checked the CCTV footage, they were horrified to see one-year-old Rupert scampering around outside before being scooped under the arm of the thief.

Katie said: “We think Rupert may have been taken for breeding purposes.

He’s not been neutered and is worth about £2,500 so is very valuable to an illegal breeder.

“I have had Rupert since he was born and just love him. He’s absolutely tiny and stands less than 20cm in height. He must have been terrified.”

Katie, who owns Daniel Granger Hairdressing in Northampton with her partner Daniel Granger, offered a £1,000 reward and posted the CCTV on Facebook.

It was viewed and shared more than 50,000 times and Rupert was reunited with his family after he was handed over to cops at 1pm yesterday.

Owner Katie added: “Apparently, a young Eastern European girl handed him in.

“We are just relieved to have him home.

"He is very thirsty and hungry but apart from that he is fine.”

A police spokeswoman said: “Officers would like to speak to the man pictured and are asking him, or anyone who recognises him, to contact them as soon as possible.”

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