Burglar Steals $10,000 Litter Of Bulldogs

(AP)  Four English bulldog puppies fathered by a best of breed winner in last year's Westminster Dog Show were stolen during a break-in at the owner's apartment, Bridgeport, Conn. police said.

The five-week-old puppies are the offspring of Cherokee Legend Rock, the best of breed winner for bulldogs in the 2006 show, and La Bella, a female bulldog and offspring of another award-winning bulldog, said owner Henry Valer.

"They're nice quality dogs, purebred champion bloodlines," Valer, 33, said of three males and a female.

Valer, a breeder registered with the American Kennel Club, said the puppies, who have not yet been named, were stolen during a burglary at his apartment in Bridgeport on Thursday. He said he came home from his job at a Fairfield dog grooming business in the afternoon and found his apartment door kicked in.

"Just the mother and grandmother (bulldogs) were there. The puppies, somebody took them from the house," Valer told the Connecticut Post.

It's important to find the dogs as soon as possible because they still need to be hand-fed and haven't had shots that protect their health while they are away from their mother, said Vilma Vicente, owner of Head to Tail Grooming where Valer works.

"They need the mother. They need nourishing. They need special food," Valer said. "They need a lot of human care. They can't survive without their mother."

Police said the puppies are valued at a total of $10,000.

Vicente said Valer had deals to sell three of the dogs and intended to keep the other as a potential show dog.

"Two of these dogs were candidates to be show dogs, and one of them for sure," Vicente said.

Valer said he had taken the dogs out of his apartment only a few times, and few people knew he owned them.

Valer said whoever stole the puppies can put them in a box and place them outside his apartment on Sylvan Avenue, no questions asked.

[catt42701]

The pups are five weeks old. Most pups are weaned and eating solids by them, some even sooner. These pups will survive but it hurts to lose your "babies" and it would be nice if they were to be returned but they probably won't be. The people who buy them won't care because they will have good dogs at a good price, even if they don't have the papers. Hope the thief gets their shots at least. Owner---you need better security and someone knew you had them. I don't know why you would have been taking those pups out but someone saw and wanted them.

[nudayonv]

Being a bulldog owner myself my heart goes out to you and your family. Rest assured I've spread the word in the Bulldog owners and breeders world.
The best thing that this person can do now is return the dogs as you suggested. Otherwise they will be caught if they try selling them. I plead also that whoever it is, return them, because these dogs do need special mothers milk and attention to survive. They are now a liability to you. If they die you stand even further prosecution when caught.

[saf5455]

Every one knows that English Bulldogs are very expensive dogs. It's all about money,they steal them and then sell them. I hope they are returned to their owner soon. Mr. Valor should put up a reward for their safe return.

[karen091866]

What kind of psycho would steal PUPPIES that require mother's milk--not to mention, the "special attention" from the mother to even empty their bowel & bladder?
Get a JOB, LOSER.

hmmm slow news day