Heartbreaking: Elderly dementia patient's beloved pet snatched from home, police launch public appeal
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Anyone with pets knows that they are more than just animals – they are like family members. They are there to protect us, love us, and keep us company.
For the elderly living with dementia, pets offer a special kind of companionship and emotional support that is difficult to find elsewhere. But what would you do if someone came along and took that away?
Sadly, that's what happened to an elderly dementia patient in Melbourne whose dog was stolen right from their front garden. Police are now appealing for information to locate the missing pet.
The dog, a 7-year-old Maltese Terrier named Molly, was taken from a front garden at a Werribee home on Stawell Street between 3 pm and 3.30 pm on Friday.
According to reports, a female adult and a young boy came by the elderly woman’s house and stroked her dog. Then, they grabbed the pet and ran away without anyone noticing.
The owner of the house tried to stop them but wasn’t able to catch up with the fleeing thieves.
Molly is still missing and the owner doesn’t have any clues leading to the dog’s possible location. Thankfully, no one was injured during the ordeal but the victim has suffered incredible emotional distress and wants their family member back.
Pet theft can have far-reaching effects on not just the victim, but their loved ones too. For elderly people in particular, the consequences can be quite damaging.
Losing a pet can be likened to the experience of losing a family member and can cause feelings of grief, sadness and anxiety - especially if the pet has been a staple in the family for many years, as is the case with Molly.
Moreover, pet theft is a crime of violation in which the perpetrator has targeted something precious and violated the security, privacy and trust of not just the pet owner, but their family and community as a whole, leading to feelings of betrayal, fear and powerlessness.
Even after a pet is recovered, the mental trauma that accompanies pet theft may take a long time, if ever, to heal.
In an attempt to find the missing pet, police have released images of the missing dog in the hope that someone might have seen her and know where she is.
If you have any information about Molly’s whereabouts, please contact the police immediately via phone at 131 444 or through their website.
The theft of Molly has shocked and angered the local community. It’s a heart-rending tale, but it’s one that serves as a painful reminder of the importance of pet safety. With theft and other dangers, pets can be vulnerable - so extra safety measures should be taken. Here are just a few tips that can help keep your pet safe.
Firstly, you should make sure your pet has adequate identification, such as a microchip or collar tag, with your contact details on it so they can hopefully be returned if they go missing. This also allows you to confirm ownership.
If you’re out and about with your pet, don't leave them alone outside - take them with you or allow them inside.
We hope Molly is found soon, and that these pet safety tips are useful for any other pet owners.
Members, this story is truly heartbreaking and we are urging everyone to share it far and wide.
We're also taking this opportunity to remind our members to stay vigilant, as there are many heartless individuals in the world.
For the elderly living with dementia, pets offer a special kind of companionship and emotional support that is difficult to find elsewhere. But what would you do if someone came along and took that away?
Sadly, that's what happened to an elderly dementia patient in Melbourne whose dog was stolen right from their front garden. Police are now appealing for information to locate the missing pet.
The dog, a 7-year-old Maltese Terrier named Molly, was taken from a front garden at a Werribee home on Stawell Street between 3 pm and 3.30 pm on Friday.
According to reports, a female adult and a young boy came by the elderly woman’s house and stroked her dog. Then, they grabbed the pet and ran away without anyone noticing.
The owner of the house tried to stop them but wasn’t able to catch up with the fleeing thieves.
Molly is still missing and the owner doesn’t have any clues leading to the dog’s possible location. Thankfully, no one was injured during the ordeal but the victim has suffered incredible emotional distress and wants their family member back.
Pet theft can have far-reaching effects on not just the victim, but their loved ones too. For elderly people in particular, the consequences can be quite damaging.
Losing a pet can be likened to the experience of losing a family member and can cause feelings of grief, sadness and anxiety - especially if the pet has been a staple in the family for many years, as is the case with Molly.
Moreover, pet theft is a crime of violation in which the perpetrator has targeted something precious and violated the security, privacy and trust of not just the pet owner, but their family and community as a whole, leading to feelings of betrayal, fear and powerlessness.
Even after a pet is recovered, the mental trauma that accompanies pet theft may take a long time, if ever, to heal.
In an attempt to find the missing pet, police have released images of the missing dog in the hope that someone might have seen her and know where she is.
If you have any information about Molly’s whereabouts, please contact the police immediately via phone at 131 444 or through their website.
The theft of Molly has shocked and angered the local community. It’s a heart-rending tale, but it’s one that serves as a painful reminder of the importance of pet safety. With theft and other dangers, pets can be vulnerable - so extra safety measures should be taken. Here are just a few tips that can help keep your pet safe.
Firstly, you should make sure your pet has adequate identification, such as a microchip or collar tag, with your contact details on it so they can hopefully be returned if they go missing. This also allows you to confirm ownership.
If you’re out and about with your pet, don't leave them alone outside - take them with you or allow them inside.
We hope Molly is found soon, and that these pet safety tips are useful for any other pet owners.
Key Takeaways
- A beloved family pet has been snatched from an elderly dementia patient’s Melbourne home.
- The dog, named Molly, was stolen by a woman and a young boy who entered the property’s garden on Stawell Street.
- Police have released images of Molly and are appealing for public assistance to locate her.
- Anyone with information is urged to contact police.
Members, this story is truly heartbreaking and we are urging everyone to share it far and wide.
We're also taking this opportunity to remind our members to stay vigilant, as there are many heartless individuals in the world.