Wahnapitae family say their French Bulldog was stolen

Noelle Huard said she hopes somebody can give her a tip that will lead to the safe return of her purebred French Bulldog Shrek, who she believes was stolen from the yard at her Wahnipitae home March 12.

That day, she and her husband were out with their younger children, and their 15-year-old son had the dog tied out in the yard.

When her son went outside to check on Shrek, he was missing. He was last seen at around 3 p.m. that day.

Huard said she's “95 per cent sure” the dog was stolen, and didn't simply get loose. Because the line wasn't broken and his collar was missing as well, she figures somebody must have unclipped him.

Because Shrek, who's one year old, is a purebred, he's worth a lot of money, making him an alluring target for thieves, Huard said. “They're rare dogs, especially around here,” she said. “You have to go down south to get those dogs.”

Huard said her five children are upset about the dog's disappearance.

“The next day (after Shrek's disappearance), it was my daughter's birthday,” she said. “She kept saying all she wanted for her birthday was the dog. He's a big part of our life. We really love him.”

Huard has put up posters and tried to share the word online, including through social media and a notice on the Rainbow District Animal Shelter's online lost and found page.

They received a tip late last night from somebody who believed the dog had been spotted at the Rumball Terrace apartment complex in the South End.

“So me and my husband, we drove out there and sat outside the building for a good two hours,” Huard said. “But we didn't see anything.”

Greater Sudbury Police are also investigating, and put a notice about the dog's disappearance up on Facebook today.

Shrek is described as weighing 35 pounds, and having a mainly white coat with black markings, including a black patch around each eye. He has a little tattoo on his belly, and was wearing a blue collar.

A cash reward of $500 is being offered for the dog's safe return.

If anyone has information on the whereabouts of Shrek, contact police at 705-675-9171 or the Huards at 705-694-5297 (home) or 705-698-8361 (cell).