Female ‘dognapper’ has exotic breed owners in a panic

The latest victim is actress and entrepreneur Mallika Chaudhuri, whose blue-eyed pug cross named Queen was stolen from her friend’s residence in Valasaravakkam. A few months ago, Aggie, a Miniature Pinscher, was stolen from her owner, Padmashree Srinivas’ house in Nungambakkam by a woman posing as a domestic helper. After filing a police complaint and getting help from social media, Padmashree was reunited with Aggie. 

Now, Mallika Chaudhuri is searching for Queen. “Queen was a part of a litter from my dog. We found her a home but I got a call from the owners saying that the pet has been missing. We obtained CCTV footage from the neighbour’s home and saw a lady, who had picked up the barely six-month-old pup from near the gate and shoved her into a bag and took it away,” she explained, adding that this is the third such instance in the locality. Mallika said the suspect looked like the one who had stolen Aggie. “This is a woman in her 50s, walking with a limp. We have obtained CCTV footage and are hoping to track her down. Currently, I am visiting all the pet stores trying to find out where she is. We have also filed a police complaint and the officials have been supportive. If we don’t find her, we will put out a reward of Rs 25,000, since the chances of getting her back this way is higher,” she said. 

A police official from Valasaravakkam police station said, “We have given a CSR number and investigation is under way. We are looking at CCTV footage. It seems like this lady is a repeat offender. We will be looking into the matter.”

The case has created a stir on social media, and several animal lovers are spreading the word warning their friends about this alleged dognapper whose pictures and footage is being shared across groups. Animal rights activist Shravan Krishnan said that these cases are on the rise because breeding exotic pets has become a backyard business. “There is a huge network of dog-nappers in the city. Most people stealing dogs try to sell it. Now, with Olx and Quikr, it is easy to sell pets. Or, these dogs are used for breeding. Most of the backyard breeding happens in slum areas,” he concluded.