A prized dog is back with its owner tonight after being stolen from outside an East Victoria Park supermarket.

It comes as dog owners are reporting an increase in thefts for family pets worth thousands of dollars.

The Siberian husky’s owners have only been in the supermarket for less than a minute when a woman approached Mocca.

“I did not think he would’ve been stolen,” the dog’s owner Damian Walsh said. “Fourteen years we’ve been doing it and lots of people do it in East Vic park it’s a very dog friendly area.”

A husky like Mocca would fetch up to $2500.

Pet store owners say a rise in the cost of some breeds is fuelling an increase in thefts.

“Ten years ago you’d get these dogs at a quarter of the price, even two years ago. Prices have skyrocketed,” 4 Paws pet shop owner Helena Street said.

Poodle crosses such as cavoodles and moodles are the most popular and expensive breeds, which means leaving them unattended puts them at risk of being taken by opportunistic thieves.

“I would never ever leave my dog at the shops alone,” Ms Street said.

Luckily for Mr Walsh Damian he was reunited with his beloved pet.

“I didn’t think I’d see him again ... so pretty good feeling? yeah.. crazy,” he said.

A member of the public found the dog.

The suspected thief is still on the run.