An elderly woman has been reunited with her dog after the blind companion animal was stolen from her.
Gemma, an 11-year-old black poodle with just one eye, was stolen from her elderly owner almost a week ago from Belvidere Street in Belmont, in Perth’s east.
WA Police issued a statement on Friday seeking information to the whereabouts of the dog, after it was last seen on Sunday.
However, by Saturday afternoon police reported Gemma had been found and returned to her owner.
It is believed locals saw “three young people” pick up the dog and run off with her, before reportedly selling her.
Gemma is an 11-year-old black poodle, who was last seen at 5pm on Gardiner Street.
She is a companion dog to an elderly woman, and only has one eye, with police saying Gemma’s owner is desperate to have her returned.
Desperate posts were posted to social media in recent days, begging for Gemma to be returned.
“Little Gemma is missing,” the post reads.
“We believe some youths found her and have sold her to someone … The owner is missing her furbabie (sic) terribly.
“Please help find our little friend.”
Local police say this isn’t the first dognapping case they’ve had in recent months, with three other cases in Perth this year.
A French bulldog was stolen from a home in Stirling in April, and days later another of the same breed was taken from a home in Redcliffe.
Anyone with information of Gemma’s whereabouts is being urged to call Crime Stoppers.