A Vancouver Island man says he had his puppy for only two days when it was snatched from his car outside a Saanich mall on Friday.

James Dumont says he got his four-month old dog ‘Red’ from Vanderhoof and didn’t even get a chance to get to know the redbone coonhound.

He went into the Save-On-Foods at the Tillicum Centre to buy dog food just before noon.

Dumont says he left the windows cracked three inches and parked in the shade.

“I didn’t lock the doors, didn’t think anybody would steal a dog,” Dumont said.

When he got back to the vehicle 10 minutes later Red was gone.

Dumont spent the rest of the day going to the ferry terminal and dog parks as well as putting up posters.

“I just want him back, everyone’s crushed, I didn’t even get to show him to very many family members,” he said. “Nobody got to see him, just such a loss.”

Saanich police are reminding pet owners that dogs are valuables and it’s not a good idea to leave them in vehicles.

“If someone sees it sitting in your car, no different than if you left your wallet on the front seat, there are thieves that will seize that opportunity and simply take your property,” said Staff Sgt. Chris Horsley.

Dumont has contacted Find Lost and Escaped Dogs Vancouver Island (FLED), an organization that helps people find lost dogs on the island.

The man is urging whoever has his puppy to drop him off at a vet or dog store.

“No questions asked, but if I see you walking my dog you’ll wish you’d dropped him off earlier,” Dumont said.