Michelle Giffin’s beagle, Popper, had been tied up outside Smarts Bakery on Wagga Road last Wednesday.

A man in a white sedan untied the dog and placed him in the car and said he would take the pet to a dog rescue group. 

Ms Giffin said she didn’t want to lay blame over the incident and just wanted her family pet back.

“The man said he handed our dog over to a woman from the dog rescue group at the Lavington Shell car park,” she said.

“He’s been missing since that day.

“We’re just looking for him and want to put it out there to see if anyone has got information.

“We’d like him to be handed into the pound or the police, or for someone to call us.”

Ms Giffin has posted appeals for information on Facebook but has so far been unable to locate the beloved pet.

She has also called several dog rescue groups and pounds, but no one has seen the beagle.

“I’m concerned the dog rescue woman doesn’t exist,” Ms Giffin said.

“If she does exist, I’m concerned that she has stolen him.

“We don’t want her not to come forward if she’s a decent person.

“It’s not about blaming anyone, we just want him back.”

There are occasional reports of dog thefts in the Albury area posted on Facebook forums.

Detective Inspector David Cottee said such incidents did not appear to be widespread in the region and were reported to police infrequently. 

“I guess one of the most important things is for people to make sure their dogs are in a secure yard,” he said.

“They should also be microchipped.

“That's definitely the most important part.”

Ms Giffin said her dog was large for a beagle and was “extremely friendly”. 

“We're just devastated,” she said. 

“The kids miss him, we all miss him. 

"We're just trying to take every possible avenue to find him.

"We really just want him back from whoever has got him.”

Friends have also helped in the search for the dog, who Ms Giffin said looked distinctive. 

The matter has been reported to police. 

It follows an incident last month where a man stole a blue English Staffy in North Albury. 

The dog had run from its owner and was taken on Waugh Road. 

Call police on (02) 6023 9299.