A treasured pet feared dognapped from a South Auckland beach has suddenly appeared on a city street, to the delight of her elderly owners.
The story of Zoe, the black miniature Schnauzer-West Highland White Terrier cross, went global after her owner told the Herald of her desperation to have her “baby” back.
Owner Judith Liptrot said she and her husband John were overjoyed to have Zoe back: “We can’t believe it. It’s surreal”.
Zoe was a gift from her granddaughter.
Judith Liptrot’s sister was driving around when she spotted a man walking a dog appearing very similar to Zoe. She asked the man whether it was his dog and then called Liptrot to read out the registration number on her collar.
As she read her sister the numbers, “it was like winning the lotto”, she said.
She understood the man found Zoe on the street and had been looking after her.
A police spokesman confirmed Zoe had been found safe and well and said police inquiries to find those responsible for the theft were ongoing.
The 2-year-old terrier was last seen by 82-year-old Liptrot outside her home in the suburb of Weymouth after they returned from the beach.
Liptrot said she saw a car parked near her property make a u-turn and speed away, believing the occupant may have taken her much-beloved pet.
“It’s like she just vanished into thin air,” Liptrot said.
It happened at the beach end of McInnes Rd on Friday afternoon, as most were enjoying their long Matariki weekend.
Security footage showed a silver/grey sedan, possibly a Subaru, leaving the area.
Liptrot took to social media to help find Zoe, posting on multiple missing pet pages on Facebook.
After an article was published by the Herald, Liptrot received an influx of messages supporting her from across the globe, with one person sending support from Portugal.
Along with support, there was a possible sighting with one person telling Liptrot they saw a terrier resembling Zoe, down to her red collar, in Wellsford.
The tipster thought Zoe was being walked outside a service station when she was spotted 24 hours after allegedly being taken. Liptrot said they contacted the staff, but the lead proved fruitless.
Liptrot and her husband remained hopeful throughout their ordeal and were “so appreciative” of the support they have been receiving, she said.
“We have eyes looking everywhere.”
Liptrot filed a police report, and police inquiries remained ongoing, a police spokesman said.
Police were reviewing security footage and asked anyone who had any information about Zoe’s ordeal to phone 105 or visit police.govt.nz/use-105 and quote file number 240628/9113.
The vehicle was damaged while later being towed and an $11k claim by the owner followed.