Puppy stolen while charity microchip Homerton dogs

The ‘devastated’ owner of a stolen puppy has launched a desperate appeal for information to help bring him home.

Frankie, the seven-month-old long-haired Chihuahua was stolen on Tuesday (March 10) from the front of a Dogs Trust van while the charity was microchipping local dogs as part of a community event on the Gascoyne Estate.

During the day Frankie had spent time out with the charity’s team demonstrating his how agile he was but as the temperature dropped he was moved into the van, which was parked in Harrowgate Road, so that he could stay warm.

The team had also been giving out free neutering vouchers and providing hands on training, behaviour and veterinary advice to residents.

But the day ended with the shock discovery that Frankie had been stolen.

Frankie was taken between 2:30pm and 2:55pm from the van through the driver’s side window.

Both windows in the van had been left slightly ajar for fresh air to circulate but when police were called at 3pm to reports of the theft, it was clear the window had been pushed fully down.

Jacky Donaghy, Dogs Trust London campaigns manager and owner of Frankie said: “I’m in shock that this has happened to me. To think that whilst we were helping dogs in the local community, someone has stolen my precious dog Frankie is devastating.”

The police and Dogs Trust is urging anyone with any information to come forward and help to reunite Frankie with his family.

He is microchipped, neutered, has identification tags and comes when called.

Jacky added: “If anyone sees anything or knows anything about what happened please can they call 101 and cite CAD ref 5425/10mar.”