A stud cattle dog worth an estimated $5000 is missing, believed stolen, from a Snake Valley kennel.
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Police are investigating the disappearance of the six-year-old Australian cattle dog from the Maryheather stud last Monday between 2pm and 4pm.
Maryheather Storm, a breeding stud dog, went missing from an extended dog run which also contained a female cattle dog.
The run was closed when stud co-owner Fiona McCoy returned but another dog run was open. Two other dogs were outside but were both still on the property. Ms McCoy said she and fellow co-owner Dan Murphy had searched the area but believed it was more likely Storm had been stolen.
“We’ve reported it to the police. We’ve put flyers all around Snake Valley all the way out to Scarsdale and he is on every lost dog website and Facebook page,” she said.
“I think it is more likely he is stolen. He has got out once before but has never left the property ... He is not a silly dog, he is an older dog who knows everybody’s routine and all his mates are still there.
“I know some dogs leave, but it is strange for a dog that has never shown leaving behaviour to wander off.”
While Storm has not been entered as a show dog, he is related to Maryheather Drumboy, which won best in breed three years in a row at the Royal Melbourne Show in 2006, 2007 and 2008. He is also a distant relation to Maryheather Amy, which won Best Bitch at the 2008 World Dog Show.
The $5000 figure is based on a valuation from another breeder, but Ms McCoy said his value was not just about dollars.
“When people ring up looking for a puppy, they are looking for what is called a ‘double mask’, which is a patch on both eyes.
“ I think they knew what they were looking for,” Ms McCoy said.
“I think they had spent time working out which dog they would take. He is a friendly, easy-going dog, which might have made him easier to take.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
gavin.mcgrath@fairfaxmedia.com.au