Marlowe_at_OHS.jpg

Marlowe, a 2-month-old puppy, was reported stolen from the Oregon Humane Society on Tuesday.

(Oregon Humane Society)

A 2-month-old Australian shepherd/pit bull mix puppy was reported stolen from the Oregon Humane Society after a staff member went to retrieve the puppy to meet with a potential owner Tuesday.

According to spokesman David Lytle, the puppy, named Marlowe, was last seen after she was vaccinated at 3 p.m. Tuesday and was returned to her locked kennel.

Later, a staff member went to get the puppy to meet with a potential new owner who had brought her own dog to see how the two would get along, Lytle said. But Marlowe was missing.

Lytle also said employees searched throughout the shelter for the missing dog, but could not locate her.

The puppy had been in a padlocked kennel with her littermate in a restricted area that must be accessed by key card. Lytle said they do not believe staff or volunteers had any connection with the theft despite the restrictions.

"A determined thief" could gain entry and commit the theft, he said, adding that it was "a fairly busy day at the shelter... which makes it all the more brazen to me."

Humane Society staff have gone through surveillance footage showing the general lobby, but did not see anyone with the puppy, who is "about the size of a football" and could be hidden inside a knapsack or purse, Lytle said. There are no video cameras targeted at the kennel area where Marlowe was kept.

"It breaks our heart to see something like this happen. This was a very determined thief and we are asking the public for any information that could lead to the recovery of Marlowe and the prosecution of the criminal or criminals involved," said Oregon Humane Society Executive Director Sharon Harmon. "We take our responsibility to the animals in our care very seriously and are pursuing all available avenues to recover Marlowe."

Marlowe weighs seven pounds and is a brown/brindle color with a white nose and a distinctive white blaze in the center of her forehead.

Anyone who has seen the puppy or has information about the theft is urged to call the OHS tip line at 503-285-7722, ext 214. A reward of $500 is being offered for information leading to a conviction.

-- Helen Jung