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       Auckland dognapping: Missing pooch found in Manurewa after incident
       goes global
        
 (HTM) Source
        
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       Judith Liptrot's sister was driving around when she spotted a man
       walking a dog appearing very similar to Zoe. She asked the man whether
       it was his dog and then called Liptrot to read out the registration
       number on her collar.
        
       As she read her sister the numbers, "it was like winning the lotto",
       she said.
        
       John Liptrot (right) holding his black miniature Shnauzer-West
       Highland White Terrier cross Zoe, and Judith Liptrot, a good ending to
       a distressing dognapping in South Auckland on Matariki Friday. Photo /
       Tess Parlane
        
       She understood the man found Zoe on the street and had been looking
       after her.
        
       A police spokesman confirmed Zoe had been found safe and well and said
       police inquiries to find those responsible for the theft were ongoing.
        
       ## 'Zoe just vanished into thin air' as suspicious car sped away
        
       The 2-year-old terrier was last seen by 82-year-old Liptrot outside
       her home in the suburb of Weymouth after they returned from the beach.
        
       Liptrot said she saw a car parked near her property make a u-turn and
       speed away, believing the occupant may have taken her much-beloved
       pet.
        
       "It's like she just vanished into thin air," Liptrot said.
        
       It happened at the beach end of McInnes Rd on Friday afternoon, as
       most were enjoying their long Matariki weekend.
        
       Zoe, the black miniature Schnauzer-West Highland White Terrier cross.
        
       Security footage showed a silver/grey sedan, possibly a Subaru,
       leaving the area.
        
       Liptrot took to social media to help find Zoe, posting on multiple
       missing pet pages on Facebook.
        
       After an article was published by the _Herald,_ Liptrot received an
       influx of messages supporting her from across the globe, with one
       person sending support from Portugal.
        
       Along with support, there was a possible sighting with one person
       telling Liptrot they saw a terrier resembling Zoe, down to her red
       collar, in Wellsford.
        
       John Liptrot with Zoe.
        
       The tipster thought Zoe was being walked outside a service station
       when she was spotted 24 hours after allegedly being taken. Liptrot
       said they contacted the staff, but the lead proved fruitless.
        
       Liptrot and her husband remained hopeful throughout their ordeal and
       were "so appreciative" of the support they have been receiving, she
       said.
        
       "We have eyes looking everywhere."
        
       Liptrot filed a police report, and police inquiries remained ongoing,
       a police spokesman said.
        
       Police were reviewing security footage and asked anyone who had any
       information about Zoe's ordeal to phone 105 or visit
       police.govt.nz/use-105 and quote file number 240628/9113.
        
         
        
        
        
        
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