Dognappers hold stolen puppies to ransom

The couple say they have both had calls on their mobiles from a man who demanded money for the safe return of their pets. Credit: MEN Syndication

A couple from Salford received a telephone call from a dognapper who demanded £1,000 for the return of three French bulldog puppies who had been stolen from their garden.

Michal Wachnik and Magda Maciejewska, from Irlam, say they have both had calls on their mobiles from a man who demanded money for the safe return of their pets.

The mystery voice gave them a bank account number and a sort code, but the terrified couple refused to pay and called police.

The puppies - Diana, Fuzja and Fanta - are 18 months old and all female.

The mystery voice gave them a bank account number and a sort code, but the terrified couple refused to pay and called police. Credit: MEN Syndication

Diana is a rare blue fawn breed and Fuzja and Fanta are both blues. The couple’s fourth French Bulldog Fiona –also a blue fawn – managed to escape the dognapping.

Michal, 30, who works as a concrete layer, believes Diana, Fuzja and Fanta were snatched from the back garden of their home when he was at work.

Magda, 21, was at Manchester Metropolitan University at the time, where she is studying travel and tourism.

They believe the dognappers, trying to take advantage of their misery to make cash - got their mobile phone numbers from appeal posters or from Facebook.

All three dogs are identity micro-chipped. Credit: MEN Syndication

Michal said he asked for proof of life during one call - but the mystery man said ‘f*** the proof’ and immediately hung up. All the calls were from withheld phone numbers.

The dogs are identity micro-chipped.

“They are beautiful,” said Michal. “We got the first one and Magda loved her so we decided to get more. French Bulldogs are among the most expensive dogs depending on their colouring and their bloodlines. It is not about the money. It is about the joy that the dogs have brought us.

“The dogs are kept outside during the day and I came back home from work at around 3pm. I always go straight to see the dogs and play with them when I get home.”

Magda was at Manchester Metropolitan University when the dogs were stolen, where she is studying travel and tourism. Credit: MEN Syndication

Michal said he believed the dognappers smashed down a section of panel boarding under a tree in a corner of the garden to get to the three puppies.Michal said: “Whoever the man is we have refused to pay him.

“We just really, really want the dogs back home and I hope someone might know who they are.”

  • Police are appealing for anyone with information about the dogs to call 101 quoting crime reference number 1283 of October 6.