ONE of the families targeted by John Brewer received a threatening note in their mail.
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The family, who lived on Racecourse Road at Yackandandah, were away on holiday when Brewer abducted their dog, Toby.
He was dumped in Albury but picked up by a ranger and collected by a family relative.
But when Toby’s owners returned from holiday, they received a letter which had been posted at the Yackandandah Post Office just before they had gone away.
It said: “Did you know that when you are not at home your dog barks continuously, VERY VERY VERY VERY ANNOYING, if you value your dog and its future well-being, STRONGLY STRONGLY advise that when you are out, you keep it indoors or in the garage to STOP it BARKING”.
A hand-written note was also found next to their garage.
It said: “Why dog bark all day? You cruel people no deserve dog. Look after dog proper”.
Toby was stolen twice by Brewer — on July 6 last year and again on January 17 this year.
Another dog, Buddy, was stolen on four different occasions.
He was taken from a home in McEvoy Street on August 31 last year and then in March, May and June of this year.
Buddy was not harmed and was reunited with his family each time.
Wodonga court heard yesterday the victims in the matters felt they had been under surveillance by Brewer.
On some occasions when the dogs were stolen, the “window of opportunity” was less than an hour.
