Owner devastated as attacker steals her dog | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

A Taradale woman says she is devastated after a man assaulted her on Thursday morning and stole her beloved puppy.

Julie, who did not want her last name used, said she was walking her 4-month old chocolate labrador puppy, Miya, which she found abandoned at Park Island two months ago, on Meeanee Rd on Thursday morning.

She saw a man stop his car and park on King St. The man called out to her asking what sort of dog she had. Julie walked over to his car ``for a chat''.

The man then became aggressive telling her, ``that's my ******* dog''.

``Give it back, its a pit bull and I breed them,'' Julie said she was told. She asked the man for proof it was his.

``I turned my back to walk away and he jumped out of the car, pushed me aside and grabbed my dog. I jumped into his car. I thought,'I am not going to let her go without a fight'.''

Julie said she fought with the man, her body half-in, half-out of the car. The man strangled Julie as she wrestled for the dog.

``I was hysterical and at the same time, screaming, beeping the horn and yelling but no one stopped for help. He gave me a big heave-ho out the door and took off.''

She reported the assault and theft to police at the Maraenui station that same day.

She described the man as Maori, mid-30s, with a tattoo on his arm and sideburns across his jawline. He was driving a blue Subaru Legacy, late 90s model, with the registration number CFT6 (or possibly 8) 45.

Julie said she was still shaken by the attack. She struggled to understand why no one stopped to help even though there were many pedestrians and motorists using the street. ``I would definitely jump out of my car if it was somebody else being hurt.''

Julie said she hoped Miya was returned safely to her.

Napier and Hastings SPCA general manager Rob Johnson said Julie reported the theft to their Mersey St office.

She was advised that because it was not an animal welfare issue but rather one of theft she should report it to the police. Mr Johnson said the SPCA would get involved if there was evidence of animal abuse.

Napier Police Senior Sergeant Sarah Stewart said police were investigating the incident.

• Napier Police are also investigating the alleged theft of a 3-month-old pit bull puppy stolen from the Napier CBD on Thursday. The puppy has a white stripe on its nose.