A beloved rescue dog who spends his days at the helicopter base of Waikato Hospital has been stolen from the home of one of the crew.
Thieves snatched Buster from the Hamilton home of Westpac Rescue helicopter crewman Bill McNeilly - and McNeilly and fellow crew are desperate to get him back.
The white rescue dog, who has distinctive eyes - one brown and one blue - is a regular at the helicopter base and is adored by the hospital staff.
McNeilly said he was lost without his pet and asked whoever had him to return him - no questions asked.
"Buster does have a very important role, and he is my best mate...Buster just loves everyone, he loves his job when he comes in," McNeilly posted on Facebook.