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Labradoodle puppy theft: Phone pranksters branded 'pathetic' Labradoodle puppy theft: Phone pranksters branded 'pathetic'
(about 1 hour later)
Pranksters who have taunted the owners of a puppy stolen at knifepoint have been branded "pathetic".Pranksters who have taunted the owners of a puppy stolen at knifepoint have been branded "pathetic".
After Labradoodle Waffle was stolen on Sunday morning, owner Catherine Hussein says she received "stupid" comments over the phone and on social media. After Labradoodle Waffle was stolen on Monday morning, owner Catherine Hussein says she received "stupid" comments over the phone and on social media.
A masked man approached her with what she believed was a knife and took six-month-old Waffle in St Austell, Cornwall, at about 07:00 GMT.A masked man approached her with what she believed was a knife and took six-month-old Waffle in St Austell, Cornwall, at about 07:00 GMT.
Police described it as a "cruel and mean-spirited crime".Police described it as a "cruel and mean-spirited crime".
Ms Hussein, said: "We've had pranksters calling, then putting the phone down, it's pathetic.Ms Hussein, said: "We've had pranksters calling, then putting the phone down, it's pathetic.
"Some people have said I should have followed [the thief], but why would you put yourself in that position?"Some people have said I should have followed [the thief], but why would you put yourself in that position?
"I would rather have handed the dog over than have my family visiting me in hospital with stab wounds.""I would rather have handed the dog over than have my family visiting me in hospital with stab wounds."
Ms Hussein, who is originally from Lancashire, said she would have fought back "if he had not pulled a knife".Ms Hussein, who is originally from Lancashire, said she would have fought back "if he had not pulled a knife".
She is now worried Waffle will be suffering from "separation anxiety" and barking for his owner.She is now worried Waffle will be suffering from "separation anxiety" and barking for his owner.
"He will be crying and barking for his mum. I hope he's done nothing but bark and cry and they let him go.""He will be crying and barking for his mum. I hope he's done nothing but bark and cry and they let him go."
She said anyone who saw a dog looking like Waffle could call his name and he would recognise it.She said anyone who saw a dog looking like Waffle could call his name and he would recognise it.
"He is the most social dog, you'll know instantly that it's him," she said."He is the most social dog, you'll know instantly that it's him," she said.
"I just hope he comes back and I don't have to explain to my grandson where he is.""I just hope he comes back and I don't have to explain to my grandson where he is."
Waffle's thief is described as about 5ft 8in (1.72m) tall. He was wearing a black hooded top and scarf, and spoke with a foreign accent.Waffle's thief is described as about 5ft 8in (1.72m) tall. He was wearing a black hooded top and scarf, and spoke with a foreign accent.