Poodle stolen from family van as mum makes desperate plea ‘I can pay, I want her back’

The dog’s owner said she couldn’t stop screaming when she returned to the car to find Smaila missing and fainted as she reported the theft at the police station
Supplied

A beloved poodle has been stolen from a family van as a heartbroken mum has made a plea saying, “I can pay... I just want her back.”

Thieves were captured on CCTV using a replica electronic key fob to break into the family van to snatch the brown poodle Smaila from a car park in Eley Road, Edmonton on Wednesday at 10.30am.

The dog’s owner Gintare Bajalyte, 36, had popped into a cash and carry for “maximum of 15 minutes” on the way to take her to a grooming appointment.

Now she has spoken of her horror saying footage showed the thieves hiding Smaila in a coat before lowering her into the back of a silver Mercedes that had pulled up next to the van.

Smaila in bed with Gintare
Supplied

In a message to the thieves, she said: “I just want to pay them, if it’s about money, don’t worry. I just want her back. She’s our little girl.”

The 9-month-old poodle was stolen but £400 in coins had been left on the back seat of the van, her heartbroken family revealed.

Ms Bajalyte said she couldn’t stop screaming when she returned to the car to find Smaila missing and fainted as she reported the theft at the police station.

She told The Standard: “I haven’t slept properly in three days. Smalia would sleep with us and wake me up every morning by nibbling on my ear. She would wake my daughter up to go to school.

“She would eat with us, she was so good, so polite and not a troublemaker at all. It was between having another child or getting a new dog at the time.

“She will be so scared without us. She will still be wiggling her tail but she will be stressed. I can’t stop thinking about whether she is cold, if she is eating, or how she is being treated.

“She is a spoiled puppy, my husband always says I give her more attention than him. My daughter is devastated too. There are so many people helping us and supporting us, I didn’t think the whole community would come together to give us support.”

Smaila in happier times
Supplied

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Officers are investigating after a dog was stolen from a van while it was parked outside a commercial premises in Eley Road, Edmonton.

“The incident took place on Wednesday, 30 March at around 10.30am. The dog is a nine month old poodle.”

Anyone who witnessed the theft or who has information about the whereabouts of the dog that was stolen should call 101 with the reference 5208887/22.

Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Smaila you can make contact with the owners by clicking here.

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